Gday Sharon, thankyou for sharing your beautiful journey to becoming such a loved member of the Joslyn family. We have witnessed from the sidelines what a fantastic family you are apart of. You make it whole. Bring on the grandkids and the next chapter!
What a lovely piece, poignant and full of appreciation for your current role in these kid's lives. I can't say I identify with your feelings in this but I've known some adopted people in my life and they all say the same thing. Their "real Parents" are not their biological parents but the people they shared their lives with. Well done Sharon, really beautiful honest writing.
Such an honest and emotional read. Looking beneath the surface and hearing about your experience just highlights your strength, courage and resilience! The power of the written word, where we can take to fully listen and understand, I bet this would be difficult to share verbally. I am very proud of you! Xxx
Honest and lovely. I will share this with my husband, who has walked a similar path ever since he — an old college friend and a childless bachelor — reconnected with me shortly after the death of my first husband. Way too shortly, in fact, in the view of my boys, 14 and 20 at the time of their father's death. So my "now" husband has tread a very tricky path.
This resonates with me so much and brought back that initial feeling of unfamiliarity and of being a spare part in the family machine. Although I must say, I'm in awe of your commitment to the relationship - I thought I'd had an upheaval moving from the North to the North East for an ex with kids!
His two were just 20 months and 5 when they came crashing into my life twenty years ago and I now have a family, and a grandson, that I would have never otherwise had.
Hi Karen, thanks so much for your kind words. It's always interesting hearing from women in similar positions, and I'm equally impressed to hear your story. You inherited young 'uns! I'm so glad it worked out for you. Looking forward to reading your page.
What an absolutely beautiful insight into life as a stepmother. I've never had children, yet I could understand and empathise with many of your feelings as an aunty and great-aunty (and having mentored young women)
This is so beautifully written, even though I am a mom of three children, I am a single mom that also began late in life.
My life took a very different trajectory, and I won’t be experiencing the emptiness syndrome anytime soon since my twins are challenged with disabilities that do not allow them to fly from the nest.
I appreciate so much your depth, insight, and the very visible role that you played in four peoples lives. I’m sure it felt invisible at times, but you will never be forgotten for all the ways that you showed up.
Thank you for taking centerstage and sharing your story. I applaud you.♥️
This has really touched me. I’m so grateful to you for reading and commenting on this post, also for sharing your own very personal experiences. Thank-you Prajna.
Gday Sharon, thankyou for sharing your beautiful journey to becoming such a loved member of the Joslyn family. We have witnessed from the sidelines what a fantastic family you are apart of. You make it whole. Bring on the grandkids and the next chapter!
How lovely of you to say Jason! (But maybe easy on the grandkids 😄)
What a lovely piece, poignant and full of appreciation for your current role in these kid's lives. I can't say I identify with your feelings in this but I've known some adopted people in my life and they all say the same thing. Their "real Parents" are not their biological parents but the people they shared their lives with. Well done Sharon, really beautiful honest writing.
Thank-you Colin.
Such an honest and emotional read. Looking beneath the surface and hearing about your experience just highlights your strength, courage and resilience! The power of the written word, where we can take to fully listen and understand, I bet this would be difficult to share verbally. I am very proud of you! Xxx
Honest and lovely. I will share this with my husband, who has walked a similar path ever since he — an old college friend and a childless bachelor — reconnected with me shortly after the death of my first husband. Way too shortly, in fact, in the view of my boys, 14 and 20 at the time of their father's death. So my "now" husband has tread a very tricky path.
Thank-you Jan. It does appear to be the case that many can relate. I hope your husband enjoys the read.
This resonates with me so much and brought back that initial feeling of unfamiliarity and of being a spare part in the family machine. Although I must say, I'm in awe of your commitment to the relationship - I thought I'd had an upheaval moving from the North to the North East for an ex with kids!
His two were just 20 months and 5 when they came crashing into my life twenty years ago and I now have a family, and a grandson, that I would have never otherwise had.
Hi Karen, thanks so much for your kind words. It's always interesting hearing from women in similar positions, and I'm equally impressed to hear your story. You inherited young 'uns! I'm so glad it worked out for you. Looking forward to reading your page.
Beautifully written Shaz. Xxx
What an absolutely beautiful insight into life as a stepmother. I've never had children, yet I could understand and empathise with many of your feelings as an aunty and great-aunty (and having mentored young women)
Thanks so much Elizabeth. I’m enjoying reading your posts too.
Hello Sharon
This is so beautifully written, even though I am a mom of three children, I am a single mom that also began late in life.
My life took a very different trajectory, and I won’t be experiencing the emptiness syndrome anytime soon since my twins are challenged with disabilities that do not allow them to fly from the nest.
I appreciate so much your depth, insight, and the very visible role that you played in four peoples lives. I’m sure it felt invisible at times, but you will never be forgotten for all the ways that you showed up.
Thank you for taking centerstage and sharing your story. I applaud you.♥️
This has really touched me. I’m so grateful to you for reading and commenting on this post, also for sharing your own very personal experiences. Thank-you Prajna.
Beautifully written Sharon
Thank you for the restack @Gillian Richmond - I’m glad you enjoyed reading about my experiences as a stepmother abroad!
A wonderful insight into your experience & journey, I love the honesty and really enjoyed your descriptions of step motherhood. 👍
Thank you Gertie, that’s lovely to hear :)