Second Chances and Hope for a New Year: A Family Tale
Posted: Thursday, December 31, 2009
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
"Are you related in any way to...."
She stared at the email for what seemed like an eternity. The memories came flooding back - as if someone hit the play button on the projector. Undefined tears flowed down her face as she wondered how in the world she was going to bring this up to him.
It was a subject rarely discussed - off limits; you know the kind. This "subject" was painful on many levels and silent prayers from both of them went up to heaven from that last day. This email however, changed everything. This was no longer a subject this was a full grown little boy asking the most courageous question one should never have to ask.
She sat on the question; praying as her undefined tears came into focus. What is he thinking? Is he angry? Does he want answers? Does he want a relationship - or does he want to tell them exactly what he thinks of them?
And so the time came - The time to face what was tucked away; no shoved to the back of their sub conscience. It's been said the truth will set you free - and indeed it does, for better or for worse.
"Remember when we talked about the day we would have to tell our kids about their older brother? She says, as her voice shakes. "Umm...ya.", he says with a look of uncertainty. "Well, I got an email from him yesterday." "IS HE OKAY..What did you say to him?".
It was two weeks before Christmas and as they waited for their youngest to come home from school, they went through all the what if's they could think of and what would happen once the truth was out. One thing was for sure, their lives would never be the same. No more secrets.
They never pretended to be perfect, but neither did they think it necessary to tell their children everything they did and didn't do when they were teens. You never know how those things could be used against you by a teen who thinks they are invincible. Beside, it wasn't like they lied all those years, there was no relationship and he had a family of his own - somewhere.
~~~~~~~~
"BS... you are lying, I don't believe you!" says the laughing 19 year old, while across the table the 21 year old is in tears. "He was 2 years old the last time we saw him, I wasn't with your mother when he was born, but once we were going out we tried to develop a relationship".
There was a lot more to the conversation, as you might imagine, and that is where they would like it to stay - in your imagination.
~~~~~~~~
That was a few weeks ago and since then all three children have talked, laughed and are learning more and more about each other. Trivial things like favorite movies, music, sports teams - everyday stuff - and some deeper things as well. Questions answered, fears released and the beginning of something beautiful. Father getting to know son and the tender heart of a mother looking on and rejoicing as she herself joins in the conversation.
They lie there in bed in awe and wonder - the three children mesh; there is a saddened yet joyful laughter when she told her husband that the little boy turned man is happy to know that there is a reason for many of the reasons he is the way he is and that he is not from another planet.
He has discovered that he has been a grandfather for 9 years; and she a grandmother - their oldest son has three little girls. Although the two younger children would argue that the best thing is that they have nieces. You see, there is no such thing a half or step in their household.
Second chances and hope for the new year are theirs and nothing will stop them now. They give their thanks - knowing that not all stories end with hope, but recognize that without forgiveness this would not be possible. In this they rejoice.
The End - nay - The Beginning
(C) Teresa Ortiz
She stared at the email for what seemed like an eternity. The memories came flooding back - as if someone hit the play button on the projector. Undefined tears flowed down her face as she wondered how in the world she was going to bring this up to him.
It was a subject rarely discussed - off limits; you know the kind. This "subject" was painful on many levels and silent prayers from both of them went up to heaven from that last day. This email however, changed everything. This was no longer a subject this was a full grown little boy asking the most courageous question one should never have to ask.
And so the time came - The time to face what was tucked away; no shoved to the back of their sub conscience. It's been said the truth will set you free - and indeed it does, for better or for worse.
"Remember when we talked about the day we would have to tell our kids about their older brother? She says, as her voice shakes. "Umm...ya.", he says with a look of uncertainty. "Well, I got an email from him yesterday." "IS HE OKAY..What did you say to him?".
It was two weeks before Christmas and as they waited for their youngest to come home from school, they went through all the what if's they could think of and what would happen once the truth was out. One thing was for sure, their lives would never be the same. No more secrets.
They never pretended to be perfect, but neither did they think it necessary to tell their children everything they did and didn't do when they were teens. You never know how those things could be used against you by a teen who thinks they are invincible. Beside, it wasn't like they lied all those years, there was no relationship and he had a family of his own - somewhere.
~~~~~~~~
"BS... you are lying, I don't believe you!" says the laughing 19 year old, while across the table the 21 year old is in tears. "He was 2 years old the last time we saw him, I wasn't with your mother when he was born, but once we were going out we tried to develop a relationship".
There was a lot more to the conversation, as you might imagine, and that is where they would like it to stay - in your imagination.
~~~~~~~~
That was a few weeks ago and since then all three children have talked, laughed and are learning more and more about each other. Trivial things like favorite movies, music, sports teams - everyday stuff - and some deeper things as well. Questions answered, fears released and the beginning of something beautiful. Father getting to know son and the tender heart of a mother looking on and rejoicing as she herself joins in the conversation.
They lie there in bed in awe and wonder - the three children mesh; there is a saddened yet joyful laughter when she told her husband that the little boy turned man is happy to know that there is a reason for many of the reasons he is the way he is and that he is not from another planet.
He has discovered that he has been a grandfather for 9 years; and she a grandmother - their oldest son has three little girls. Although the two younger children would argue that the best thing is that they have nieces. You see, there is no such thing a half or step in their household.
Second chances and hope for the new year are theirs and nothing will stop them now. They give their thanks - knowing that not all stories end with hope, but recognize that without forgiveness this would not be possible. In this they rejoice.
The End - nay - The Beginning
(C) Teresa Ortiz
This Article has been viewed 1,753 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
More commentsWOMAN! What a Christmas season at your house!!! What a blessing and how touching... I know I am reading between the lines here but???? Sending you hugs and prayers and my love over and over.... WOW!!!! (I never met my bio father and suspect he is long gone by now....) MarijoYes, you read correctly. Hopefully we will meet sometime face to face! We know it is grace and we are thankful. We are looking forward :-)
Time has a way of dealing with all issues. You told this story with depth and understanding. It is good to deal with sensitive subjects whenever it is possible. Well told!Thank you for reading and for your kind words. Many blessings to you in this new year!
I am reading this again through the readers club. Just as enjoyable as the first time.Thanks Linda :-)
nice one. i liked your article. Hope to read more from you. : )Hi Mark, thanks for reading. I don't think we have met before, I appreciate the nice comment. I will visit your page and read your work. Blessings to you! Teresa
What a great story. Thanks so much for sharing this. And you're right: it is the beginning. Excellent!Thanks Michael, I appreciate the nice comment. All the best to you in 2010!
OK T! We have been missing each other too much!! An amazing story! Tears in my eyes! Sounds like you guys have a start of an amazing year!! MIss you so much! Glad everything worked out great! -LauraI know! What is the deal, I watch for you on FB, but you are never there :-( I still do not have my computer working, so I don't have all my IM contacts. Soon girliem, soon! Thanks for the nice comment! LOVE YOU!
The truth actually did set them free! For someone who did not know his father for the first 20 years of his life I understand the emotions of the story only too well! Well done Teresa.Hello Olufemi, welcome to Searchwarp! Thank you for sharing, its such an encouragement. Third person is not my usual writing style, but I was thinking it would help to tell this story. I appreciate the comment.
Teresa,I read and reread. Wow! My heart breaks and yet there is joy to be found. You are right. It is a beginning.Thank you for sharing this with us. Sometimes, it is a frightening thing to do which is the reason for my own silence during the last 4 weeks.Hi Nancy, It can be a scary thing to open up, but God always uses it to encourage others, and that is what I hope to do here, not to mention I am just a happy girl about this whole thing! :-) What story do you have to share? I am off to read your latest. Big hugs and lots of love, Teresa
hey
hey, This is Javier Suarez Montes de Oca! your description meets the profile of my Brother whom I haven't seen since I was 7 is he 41 years old by a chance? if he is around that age. . . can you get back to me? my e-mail is javiers or: pastorjavi I would like to meet my little brother again! I already saw my little syster Irma and mom! but I really want to meet Raul And Lilia! God Bless you Ruz JavierHello Javier. I am sorry, we are not the one you are looking for. I am so glad you have been able to connect with your little sister and mom. I pray you will meet up with your brother! Blessings to you! Teresa
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