Sorry if you saw this post and it disappeared and here it is, back again. I actually had posted it absentmindedly while I was writing. I don’t know if this means you will have to repost your comment or not. Sorry.
Last week Wednesday, for World Poetry Day, I had posted a few of my poems and kind of wondered out loud if I should make it a regular habit, like Curmudgeonly Monday or Throw It Back Thursday but I couldn’t think of a clever name for it. My sister, Beverly, the classy one of the family, posted this comment,
“So sometimes we abbreviate the days of the week as MON, TUES, WED, THURS, FRI, right? One suggestion is: Words of Expression Day (WED) and post on Wednesday.”
And I thought that was a really fine idea. It might be too fine for this blog, anyway. I don’t know if I am really even giving that whole idea serious consideration. I do have something of a poetic bent but when I go back through my old stuff, I can see that a lot of it was just junk. Garbage that I shouldn’t have wasted time typing up. But I had written it and I did think it was really something at the time. I wonder if Poe ever felt that way, but he didn’t live long enough to re-read his stuff 15 to 20 years later. I’m going to take my time but will try to present you with what I see as quality work now. The stuff I posted Wednesday was stuff I’m kind of pleased with.
I do like WED – Words of Expression Day, though. It sounds high class which is what a lot of people think poetry is supposed to be. What with all this indecision I should probably call it Waffle Wednesday. Like I say, I haven’t decided yet.
I say Beverly is the classy one in the family and I know that nobody in or out of the family would deny it, but the rest of the family members are wonderful as well. I have a lot of family that has “adopted” me over the years and we have a lot of family that we have “adopted.” Brothers and sisters who actually have worked at becoming our brothers and sisters. It works best when both sides adopt each other, and some people fit right in and make themselves at home. This is how we like to do things. And then we have “adopted” children who have also adopted us. So far I have one natural son and three natural daughters, plus another son and I am starting to lose count of how many daughters have adopted me and/or that I have adopted.
I take the adoption thing seriously and don’t use the word lightly. I don’t know a lot of people who were adopted as children but the few I have met said it felt really wonderful to know that somebody wanted you and wanted you in their family forever. Some of them didn’t know it right away but came to realize what a beautiful thing they had.
The whole adoption thing has been on my mind a lot more lately since my wife started doing our genealogies. I went for over fifty years never knowing or even guessing the story. While in our genealogical search we are looking for what appears at this point to be a drunken sailor who took advantage of a young, confused, sad and lonely girl at least half his age, if not more, to be my bio-father, there was someone else. There was a man who loved and felt compassion for this same young girl. She was only twelve years his junior and in big trouble. In those days for a single young girl to be pregnant was very bad and for a man to step up and marry her, knowing she was pregnant, was pretty bold. This man, who made such an impression and influence on my life and is still, even now, influencing my behavior. This man of love and compassion and boldness in the face of what had to adversity in the times he lived, was my father, not some stumble-bum who wouldn’t own up to his actions.
Comments
47 responses to “Family”
I wonder if any snotty nosed little sisters will read this post.
Why shouldn’t they read it big bro?? I think it’s quite wonderful and fascinating. I’m quite privileged to be a part of this wonderfully awesome family that has made me feel a part of it in every way. Plus having a big bro who likes to blow up things is fun….
They should most assuredly read it, sister
You are indeed special, and I am honored to call you little sister.
Are you honored to called ME little sister?
Most assuredly! I am honored to have you as a little sister. You inspired me to blow a bubble, something I had not done before!
Hahahaha! Ok, Mr. Benjamin! You made my day. I was bummed this morning knowing I’ll be working all day on our old house, but YOU have made it awesome!
What will you be doing?
Painting 12 hours straight.
You are investing in the future!
Good grief. Nice way of looking at it. Bye. Wish me luck
I wish you well!
Thanks
I thought I was the only one.
You, are my snotty nosed little sister. I have other titles for other little sisters. Having family is so cool!
Ha! Who’s your favorite? I’m sure their names are nicer.
Your name is endearing. Are you trying to start drama with favorites? I would never hear the end of it! 😁
Endearing? Wow. Uuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Snotty Nose! Snotty Nose! Ummm.. Yeah.. Quite endearing.
What’s endearing mean to you?
Lydia Potter
No, like the definition!
Inspiring love or affection, but in a brotherly manner.
Copy cat! That’s what google said! You cheated!
” but in a brotherly manner” was not in google. I mearly utilized my resources, there was no cheating!
Riiiiiiiiiight. Like Google said it in a sisterly manner! HA!
Don’t you have painting to do? 😜
Yeah, and I JUST finished. ugh!
Whew! Good Job!
Lol thanks. I feel very exhausted though!
Painting is hard work!
But for 12 hours is worse!
Your adopted Father sounds like a fantastic person. Also, my Grandmother’s name was Dorothy. It’s a great name.
Thanks.
No, but your “Aunt” has read it, nephew. Lol. Be nice or I will go “K-Land” on you. Ha,ha-just kidding.
I was trying to comment last night, but it kept telling me “page not found.” Was wondering…, but no problem.
Thank you so much, Brother. You cannot even imagine how much I needed to read your post. And it was my pleasure to offer the suggested title.
Denise and I arrived nearly 6 years ago and your family took us in shortly after we arrived. You all opened your house, your hearts and minds to us. You accepted us with all of our flaws (especially me) just as we are. You are so kind in referring to me as classy. Thank you! I am reminded of the Body of Christ. The Body is not one member, but many (1 Corinthians 12:12), but the Body moves as one. God tempers the Body together to provide us with someone to help us with an area where we fall short or where we lack and in fact, bestows more honor on us when we feel less honorable (1 Corinthians 12:23-24 AND you referring to me as classy). There are no schisms/divisions, we all have the same care for each other and when one suffers, the whole Body suffers, when one rejoices, the whole Body rejoices (1 Corinthians 12:25-26). These scriptures refer to God’s Church, but this is also what it feels and means to be in the Thiel family. God orchestrated our steps here 6 years ago to be adopted. Next month, on the 12th will be the two year anniversary of my mother’s passing. She understood that you all took us in, did not mind when we left her bedside to spend time with you. God even led Sister Thiel to her bedside through the agency (unbeknownst to either one of them) to care for her before she passed. We were honored to be there with you all during the difficult time at the hospital in February of this year, the funeral and grave side service. But we have also spent so many hours rejoicing with you as well (the celebration of Grandma’s life, nephew surprising Denise with his homemade firecrackers at her birthday party at HCA and the ones he set off at your house and so much more!).
Thank you for adopting us into your family. It is truly an honor to be part of the Thiel family!
Wow. Thank you back. But don’t go too K-Land on him or we’ll all have some ‘splainin’ to do.
You’re welcome.
Yes, we will indeed. Okay, I will let him pass. Lol
Thank you for the beautiful words, auntie. We love and appreciate you!
You are most welcome nephew. Love and appreciate you all as well! God has blessed me and Denise with an amazing family!
I am blessed with an amazing auntie and cousin! 😄☺😁
Awwwww. Thank you! Denise says thank you as well. 🙂😄😄. She is doubly blessed to have her best friend, Savannah as her cousin.
Awwwww. Thank you! Denise says thank you as well. 🙂😄😄. She is doubly blessed to have her best friend, Savannah, as her cousin.
As on of the adopted daughters, I am so thankful to be a part of the thiel clan. I am doubly thankful that we were able to adopt you and so many others. Truly I think I might cry just thinking about all of us and what our family means. So many times through the years I know I wouldn’t have made it through without all of you. In times like these when we are unable to gather together you treasure those connections even more.
I LOVED this post! I also take the adoption thing very seriously.
And well you should. Welcome to the family!
Very cool. Thank you.
[…] some of you will recall and/or know firsthand, or read the entry last month called, “Family,” I take family seriously and have a kind of extended bunch who are my family whether either […]