Wednesday, July 13, 2011

On An Even Keel

Being a single parent isn't easy. Oftentimes, for many people, the difficult job of single parenting is compounded by additional pressures and stresses from the "ex" and family. That is defnitely not the case for me. And I am SO lucky!

I am traveling for work this week and so I'm down in Mobile for a few days. After I finished work today, I headed over to my former inlaws' house. I was meeting up with my former inlaws, Princess Penelope and the ex's wife (ex had to work late) so they could take a look at Princess Penelope's senior portrait proofs and order what they wanted. We spread the pictures out on the table, eliminated some, and agonized over which smile was best, what pic had perfect hair, the perfect tilt of the chin. After all the decisions were made, I packed up the pictures, and we all started getting ready for dinner --- a simple one, spaghetti & meatballs, salad and bread. We reminisced over Princess Penelope's youth, caught up on goings on for both sides of the family, discussed college options and plans, rest-of-the-summer plans and generally just had a really nice time.

I know I'm lucky that after all of these years, things can just be good. And nice. And easy. And even. And drama free. It was a really nice night.

7 comments:

  1. Ummm, yeah. No. I wanna know how you do that???

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  2. I'm not sure... its kind of evolved over the years. While tonight was extremely easy, and most times are pretty easy... we do snarl on occaision, but those snarls are more the exception than the rule. We're all pretty flexible. I think at some point we all just kind of let the past go.... I don't know, its just kind of worked out this way (and it helps that my ex isn't a complete ass! ha)

    How's that for a complete and total non-helpful answer?

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  3. Love this. Thanksgiving Day in the middle of July :)

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  4. OOOH well THAT explains it...your ex ISN'T an ass! Yeah that's what I'm missing that makes my equation not equal yours.

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  5. While we are not divorced...it has been on the table. And I can tell you that his family would not welcome me with open arms. In that family, you are already cut out of the pictures before the ink is dry on the divorce decree.

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  6. It wasn't always quite this easy, but it also hasnt been nearly as difficult over the years as it is for a lot of people. of A lot of it has to do with the personalities of the people involved. We've been divorced since 1997 and things weren't always quite as laid back. I give my former inlaws a lot of credit for the way things are. They kept their eye on the "ultimate prize" which was having a positive and consistent relationship with their only granddaughter (who was also their only grandchild at the time). And, it also helps that the StepMom really does love Princess Penelope. I know I'm lucky --- I have quite a few friends who even the most mundane exchange with the ex or his family is filled with tension and boatloads of stress.

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  7. Sounds like a wonderful night


    Judy

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