Article Contributed on: 3/31/2009 11:12:26 PM
One of the more heartwarming things I've seen in recent months happened when my son greeted my nephew, listened to him (the nephew) tell him a story and then said, "HEY!" and hugged him nice and full right then and there before they progressed upon their tales of woe and glee. I especially loved it because that's how I greet my Brother: with a big hug and a slap on the back and sometimes -- because he's European, with a kiss on the neck.
I guess I should back up. And perhaps put 'nephew' in quotes: "Nephew" But then I'd have to put Brother in quotes as well, because neither my "Brother" nor my "Nephew" share a single drop of blood in common with me.
But then again, if that's the standard, I'd have to put quotes around "Son" when talking about The Knuckleheads and also around "Father" or "Dad" when talking about myself, because my boys and I don't share a single drop of blood, either. I guess it would all get rather confusing eventually...
But it would all get rather pointless quickly. I love my Brother and have from the day I met him; at his wedding to a woman who has known The Wif from the time they were just barely old enough to know better. And when I heard of their 2 blessings? I loved them as well.
Just as from the instant I met my kids in a County office I loved them. They were beautiful and raising them for most of the past 3 years has only slightly diminished that assessment. (Just kidding, natch.) So why this focus on "blood relations?"
I would guess that it stems from a grand sense of self-importance. UNwarranted self-importance, that is. "I created that," or "I'm the cause of that." Something along those lines. (But as I always say to The Wif, I could be wrong.)
The thing is, today we celebrated our Family Anniversary - the 1st Anniversary of our finalization - and I have to say something here: I love my kids as much as any other parent. I worry about their future and try to prepare them for it as best I'm able. I know I'll miss something and I'm dreading that late-night call as much as any father does. I fear the day when my daughter asks me about training bras just as much as I fear the day when my son asks how to un-hook one. I stay awake nights imagining them learning to drive using my truck and thinking that being awake at nights just might be good practice for whatever the future brings.
Just like any parent.
Now try to tell me how "blood" figures into any of that...
Chris Stone is a slightly different - hopefully better - Father and man than he was yesterday...