Okay, Kelli is not MY ex-wife, she is D’s. My sister's husband was also previously married to a woman named Kelli, so when we swap stories we refer to them as "my ex-wife" or "your ex-wife"
Kelli and D have a wonderful son named DK. I first met DK (and Kelli) when he was 5, he is now going on 17! Crazy how time flies. D and Kelli have had their ups and downs in the time that I’ve know them. Kelli has ALWAYS been kind to me, and for a long time, even after D and I married, we were little more than acquaintances, and who would expect us to be more?
Then one summer, with D away for several months, DK needed a surgery. Where better than Walter Reed Army Hospital to have it done? So DK, Kelli, and Kelli’s partner Anne came to stay with us. You would think that would be strange, especially with D gone, but it wasn’t. Although, some of my male friends had a lot of jokes (and wishful thinking!). Kelli and Anne were able to stay for the surgery and for a couple days when he returned home, but he would spend the next six weeks with just me and the little boys. DK’s surgery was a long one and left him needing a lot of help, he was 15. I was very nervous about the next six weeks, about his recovery, about how he would feel about depending on me. As it turns out, it was the best thing that could have happened for our relationship. For the first time, I was his care-taker. I helped him shower and dress, helped him up and down stairs, and tucked him in bed each night.
In turn, it was also the best thing that could have happened for Kelli and me. During this time, Kelli was my biggest supporter. We talked often, of course, about how DK was doing. Even now, nearly 2 years later, we still talk more than she and D do (his deployment makes it hard for anyone to get a hold of him).
I like Kelli. It is tempting, as the second wife, to say and think that the first wife was ALL BAD. The truth is, she is a great mom, and has been a good friend to me. We are family.
Oh and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
1 comment:
Family is what you make it to be.. There are many ways to define it.. I have what I like to refer to as a chosen family...My parents, my brothers and sisters and a few select friends. You, my dear, are one of the chosen ones. I admire who you are as a person, a mother and a wife. Never for a minute did I doubt your ability to be a wonderful care giver to DK. He loves you. He refers to you as his third mom! lol. It is my belief, that we have all worked very hard to have the "family" that we have and i would not trade it for anything!
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