The Power of Love

Oh, puhleeze! This woman should be voted off the island, or exiled to one. I'm talking about my ex-husband's new wife.  She's beautiful, generous, smart, and much too good for him! But not for my son. I could not have selected a better mother for him if I'd taken applications and held interviews. Yeah, yeah, you're thinking no one is that wonderful -- that's only because you've never met Julie Reid. (Julie is on the left)

It was hard to let my son stay with his father--twenty one hours of labor was a snap in comparison. My heart shredded, my empty arms ached for my little 9 year old boy, guilt still worms into my soul after ten years. Harder yet was watching another woman be with my son on a daily basis to tend his cuts, listen to his hurts, celebrate his triumphs, deal with his tantrums. And Julie, I know what hell you've been through.

And I'm thanking this woman?    You betcha!! I'm grateful for all the years we sat together at the ball games -- it was a blast to watch people's reactions as we sidled close, whispering like conspirators. Laughing at how it drove certain people nuts!

Thank you, Julie, for all the pictures you've taken for me. The birthdays I wasn't able to make, the Christmas mornings, the first day of school tradition. And the Mother's Day and birthday presents you sent in Tim's name before he took over.
For taking the knife out of my back.
For being the mediator and calming influence when things got rough between me and the man you married. How difficult that must have been.
For the phone calls.
For buying copies of my book when all the rest of the family wanted them for free! Then for giving them out as gifts!
For putting up having my picture plastered over the walls of YOUR house just because you love the man who broke my heart. I don't think I could have handled moving into another woman's house. BTW: I love how you've redecorated and put your special artistic touch.

But most of all, Julie, I love how you guided OUR son to be a good man.