Arianna

There is a little girl in my life. She is bright, energetic,creative and beautiful. Her six year old self is really something else! When I look at her, I see the familial traits shared by her brothers, my sons.  She  is their sister but she is not my daughter.

My marriage fell apart in a process probably not unlike others in this country where at least 50% of all marriages end in divorce. Now though, I am hard put to put a reason on it. I was not beaten, though I was beat down. I wasn't always unhappy, but I was sad. How nebulous the reasons in retrospect. The irony is that we get along so well now that although I have lost a husband, I have gained a good and supportive friend.

After much hard work, acceptance, tolerance and, of course love for our sons, we have been able to live up to a sacred promise of  family.

Family now encompasses my former mother-in-law, my parents, my sons' dad’s siblings and my brother, my ex's wife, her kids, my second (and final) husband and a multitude of friends.  The newest link in this chain of  family is little Arianna, my ex-husband's daughter.

This little girl, whose coming into the world shocked and then angered me and my children, is now a very important and priceless part of who we’ve become. She has helped me to redefine and champion, what family can be. I’m learning about “Power Puff Girls™”, remembering 1st grade and how to  simply “dance like nobody is watching” !

And does this child, whose name means holy in some languages, need to be my daughter to be a part of this family? I say no.

She just has to BE.

Best and Keep Shining,

Pamela

(c)2007 P T GRIFFIN