Goodby - Thank Goodness!

No more in-laws. One of the best things about losing a husband, besides the extra closet space you get, is the family you finally get to get rid off.

My family is no walk in the park. I have a fantastic sister, but I don't really have a relationship with the rest of the family. It is my decision and one I am happy with. I couldn't live without my sister and would do anything to keep that relationship alive and well. The rest, hard to get along with and better when they are not in my life.

My in laws, gone and I am better for it. Finally, holidays that won't end up with crying and someone going home mad. Finally, another meal that won't end up made with food I do not eat, and which they have known about for 23 years and chose to ignore. Pointed digs and sly comments that I won't have to listen to.

With my in laws, we have nothing in common. Not how we feel about politics, or food, or holidays, or fun, or my son. My son, the one person in this world I love unconditionally. The second person in this family that my in-laws can't stand. The first being me.

My ex chose to ignore it. The bad behavior, the veiled insults, the hurtful remarks, were always something I was suppose to disregard. Aimed at my direction, sure. Aimed at my son, no way on earth. The interactions between us and them, became less and less.

Now, there is no interaction at all. For the first time in over 23 years, Christmas was nice. Music played, the food was good, neighbors stopped by with gifts, people were laughing and enjoying themselves. I loved it! My son loved it! His father was no where to be found and we loved that! The in-laws gone and Oh! How We Loved That!

I'm sure it must be hard for my son, for I know deep inside he wants to be part of a family. I can see the way he tries so hard to buy the perfect gift for birthday's and holidays. How he loves when we would have pool parties and his grandparents would come. How his school essays would be written for the grandparents he wished he had, not the ones that he did have. But it is not to be, not for grandparents, not for aunts or uncles, or even cousins. Hell, not even for his own father. Not one of them sent a card, a gift, a email, or a phone message on Christmas or his birthday. His 18Th birthday went unnoticed by people that had been in his life every moment he has been alive.

So, I'm glad they are gone. Maybe that should have been my first clue as to what kind of life I was stepping into. What can I say, I was 22 and pretty stupid.

Would I do it all again?

Yes, in a heart beat! I would still step up and take the disappointment. I would take the betrayal. I would take the humiliation from a man who said he would always love me, protect me, care for me. I would take the horrible in-laws. All of it I would take again, for in doing so, I would also get the one thing I love so much. The one thing that also loves me so much. My son.

It was so worth it.