This is my oldest son Chris with his GrandDad, my step Dad, Bernie. Chris looks to be about 7 so I'm guessing the picture was taken at Christmas 1989.
This picture reminds me that I don't see my family often. Chris is in Florida with his wife Sarah and my grandaughter Alyssa, Bernie is with my mother in California. And I wonder what the hell I'm still doing in Norfolk.
My relationship with Chris is one I wish I could do over. In retrospect I should've fought a little harder for custody when his mother and I separated. But if I'm honest with myself I know I would have made a lousy single dad. As a result we haven't spent much time in one another's company over the years. A few days here and there as I criss-crossed the world. A few months when he was 16-17 and in my custody here in Norfolk where he hated living. Even now we don't speak as much as we could or should. But at least we are in touch.
I'm going to let a video speak about Bernie for me. This was shot by his son Eric the day after Bernie was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer.
Very nice, Tag. When I was over at Kass's, and saw her post title, I said, "Somebody better tell Tag!"
ReplyDeleteIn solidarity: whenever I talk with anyone about possibly divorcing, I always but always say, "Don't give an inch if it's about your child." Lesson learned the hard way!
It's nice that you included a link to the wikipedia definition of family.....
ReplyDeletebut I think we get to make up our own - definition and family.
When we're going through the stress of divorce, we're not always thinking clearly. We're tired of fighting. It looks like Chris got a lot of love. There can never be too much of that.
I'm sorry to hear about Bernie. That video is no longer available, but I'll bet it was pretty good.
Thanks for responding to the TAG.
Video Reposted.
ReplyDeleteLes, I'll never know if I made the right decision or the wrong decision in leaving Chris with his mother. I do know that I could've done better by him than I did.