My kids and I celebrate Father’s Day for the first time in three years. We acknowledge the day, do something for it. There’s an excited exchange of presents first thing in the morning, a family dinner in the evening.
It’s bizarrely unexpected, by The Most Amazing Man and myself. I had thought-as had he- that this would be a quiet day; one we slid into and bumped out of, glad that it was over.
But my children, to my continual surprise and amazement, have other ideas.
It’s not something I’ve ever mentioned to them, and certainly not something I’ve pushed for. But my son’s flawless five year old logic kicks in when making Father’s Day gifts at school. “I can give this to the Most Amazing Man.” He tells me matter of factly. “Because we are living with him now, so he’s kind of like our dad.”
I can’t argue with that. I don’t even want to.
The Bump is easily swayed by her brother’s opinions. Once his actions give her the green light, she becomes an accomplice to the celebrations. We start a small pile of school-made cards, hidden in a kitchen drawer, and they grow exponentially as the weekend grows closer.
Sunday morning is a flurry of cards and presents, of over-excited children. It’s a whole new experience for the The Most Amazing Man.
It’s entirely lovely, completely gratifying. Watching everything fall into its place… right now, it feels too good to be true.
***
Sunday lunchtime, The Most Amazing Man mows the back lawns of The New House. The grass is thick kikuyu, and it’s easier to just remove the catcher from the lawn mower completely, rather than emptying it every two minutes.
As a result, there are grass clippings flying through the air, catching and swirling in the breeze.
The Chop and the Bump think it’s marvellous- a snow storm of grass, a fairy world to dance in.
The Bump giggles uncontrollably. “Most Amazing Man!” she laughs. “Just look at what you are doing to our world!!”
That seems to be the most fitting statement, for all of it.
Most Amazing Man… just look at what you are doing, to our world.
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Oh Lori this is just gorgeous x
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That is so sweet! All of it! So glad to hear it is going well Lori. XXXX
Yay! Hoorays!! Fantastically awesome! X
Beautiful, just beautiful. I am pleased that the kids both grabbed the father’s day ball and ran with it, and it was a lovely day for all of you!
Lori,
I am a follower on facebook, and a sometimes reader of your blog. It warms my heart to read this post, and reminded me of my kidlets this year on fathers day.
They made cards for their dad, they made pressies at kinder etc etc, but on the morning of fathers day they got up and made breakfast for my “amazing man”, my fiance and a father to be, they wrote in his fathers day card, my DD jumped on the bed next time him as he opened his gift.
Then they went to visit thier dad, who where he is can’t really have the same treatment (pre-release of the corrections service), but had lunch and a visit there. He had opened his gifts the week before when on day release.
My kids will protest to the world that this man is not their dad, but on the day that celebrates all dad like people he was the first to get a cuddle and a thank you.
Kids are amazing, and always see the good in situations.
Much love
Michelle
Oh, that just made me cry. You and the kidlets deserve to be happy. I’m so happy for you. Happy, happy, happy!
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This is utterly lovely. What a beautiful new world you have x
Aww, I am happy for happy days.
Also I sent you an email that may have got caught in your spam filter, because before I go offering it to somebody else I really would love for you to have a night out — I bought two tickets for my sister and I to go see Amanda Palmer perform when she’s in Melbourne, but she’s had to go on bedrest for the last trimester of her pregnancy so she can’t come. If you want to see some kick-ass empowering feminist inspiring music, you’re more than welcome to have her ticket! You need some good things in your life =)
Just replied Manda- so sorry, my spam folder ate it! x
Lori Dwyer recently posted…Father’s Day.
It’s a wonderful thing when your children warm to someone else. I love it and I’m so thrilled you’re getting to experience it. Yes blended families are awfully hard work, but certainly moments like that make it worth it.
Oooh, gave me goosebumps!
How beautiful,so happy for you all x
Really happy that the weekend has brought you so much joy and that things are settling down ….cheers to the two little tackers and to you …this post has made me very happy for you …Di
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Anonymous me? lol no!!
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This made my heart smile so much x
This isn’t post-specific, but I’ve been thinking…. It’s strange, how often I read your blog and think “It’s a good thing she’s so much older than I am. I could never, never handle what she does.” From the tragedy and the trauma, the myriad changes, straight on through the nasty comments that people so carelessly toss around what is YOUR space. I don’t know how you do it. And then every now and then I remember — there aren’t even a couple of years between us, little enough time that it doesn’t count at all.
I’m so glad you had a good day. So glad things are going well for you, and for your Chop and Bump. You’re amazing!
Thanks so much Kristina. But don’t underestimate yourself- if you had to do it, you would. You could. I promise xxx
Lori Dwyer recently posted…Father’s Day.
So wonderful to read! I can smell the grass and see the smiles and all that awesome stuff. I’m glad that all the stress is done with now (or lessened at least) and you can start to enjoy the new world because you all deserve it.
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Ahhh reading this makes me so happy!
I love hearing about your sunshine moments.
x
The comments on your last two posts made me think of an Oscar Wilde quote: “Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live”.
You’re so wonderfully open and honest on your blog, it seems some people feel like they have the right to judge you or dispense advice, maybe forgetting that you are the only person qualified to make decisions about what is best for your children or what will give you the greatest happiness. It seems to me you’re doing a great job of following your intuition, and I really hope the trolls never put you off sharing so much of your life with us.
I’m so pleased that things are starting to settle down in The New House. Lots of hugs to you and your gorgeous family x
PS. My parents live hours away from me, I miss them like crazy but it makes every second we spend together incredibly precious, and we never take each other for granted anymore… there’s a lot to be said for appreciating quality time together over quantity, and I really hope you find the same thing
Hi Lori I am very happy for you all! You have the most amazing kids in the world! And this post shows just that. My doubts have been removed by this post! Good luck Lori, good luck for your new life with your kids and your new man. May you have all the happiness you wish for! If not for you then for those gorgeous kids of yours. Xxxx
Thank you Ruby- that is quite gracious of you.
Lori Dwyer recently posted…Father’s Day.
This is such a wonderful story. I am so pleased that you are able to start creating more happy memories with your new family.
Beautiful.
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