52 ancestors Week 34 (Aug. 19-25): Chosen Family

Week 34 (Aug. 19-25): Chosen Family

From Amy Johnson-Crow - Family isn't always related by blood. Adoptions, step-children, foster children, and special friends of the family can be just as much "family" as those who share DNA. (I think I was 10 before I realized that my Uncle Bob and Aunt Mabel weren't actually related to us.) This is the week to highlight one of their stories.

This weeks them of “chosen family” has been thought provoking for me. My parents pretty much kept themselves to themselves, they didn’t really socialise much and I don’t recall meeting many of their friends when I was younger, maybe I did but I don’t remember them (they can’t have made much of an impression on me that is for sure!)

The only person I could call “chosen family” is a lady my Mum became very good friends with later in her life, as she is still living I will refer to her as D.

D is a lovely lady, she has a heart of gold and will help anyone she can do. From day 1 of meeting her she became part of our family. About 6years after I met her I became pregnant with my eldest son (2002). At the time D was the manager of the local charity shop, my Mum helped out 1 or 2 days a week for a few hours. She allowed me to go through the baby stuff and get what I liked ready for the baby (i had clothes from birth to 3months that were all usuable for boys & girls as i didnt know what i was having). Once my son was born D was like an adopted “nana” to him, and like my Mum doted on him, took him out for a few hours, spoilt him and all sorts. I asked D to be his Godmother and she agreed.

I would say that 90% of my sons clothes came from her charity shop after he was born, and some of them were brand new. 

As my son got older D took him to parks for a few hours, to her house and even to the theatre to see Sooty!!! Like my Mum, she hardly ever gave him sweets as treats which was good.

Move forward 2.5years and my Mum was sadly Dying of cancer, she asked D to look after me and my son and make sure we were ok etc. A week before my Mum died I found out I was pregnant with my 2nd son. Again, D did all she could to help out with clothes from the shop she now helped in (as had stepped down as manager) and looked after the eldest on occasions and took him out etc. We asked her if she would be Godmother to this baby as well and she said yes. 

Like with my eldest son D took both of them out (not at the same time as she said she was too old to chase a toddler and look after a baby at the same time). She would randomly nip round with "something" she thought they would like, or clothes that had been donated etc. I was very gratfeul of this.

Going forward 4more years I was pregnant again and had my 3rd son and yes, we asked D if she would be his Godmother as well and she is.

Although we don’t see D very often now as we live opposite ends of the country she always sends birthday and Christmas gifts, she sponsors the boys for things they do linked to scouts or school, she’s at the end of the phone and email if we need her and she has helped me out with odd unexpected bills. We are very lucky that my Mum made such a lovely friend. All of my sons know her as “auntie D” and know she isn’t related to them.

I’m glad to call her a friend and shes like an adopted mum to me as well as my boys. I couldn’t have picked a better person to be part of their life.

Comments

  1. purple-roses10:19 am GMT-8

    THE ABOVE POST SHOULD READ AS FOLLOWS:

    Week 34 (Aug. 19-25): Chosen Family
    From Amy Johnson-Crow - Family isn't always related by blood. Adoptions, step-children, foster children, and special friends of the family can be just as much "family" as those who share DNA. (I think I was 10 before I realized that my Uncle Bob and Aunt Mabel weren't actually related to us.) This is the week to highlight one of their stories.
    This weeks them of “chosen family” has been quite hard. My parents pretty much kept themselves to themselves, they didn’t really socialise much and I don’t recall meeting many of their friends when I was younger, maybe I did but I don’t remember them (they can’t have made much of an impression!)
    The only person I could call “chosen family” is a lady my Mum became very good friends with later in life, as she is still living I will refer to her as D.
    D is a lovely lady, she has a heart of gold. From day 1 of meeting her she became part of our family. About 4years after I met her I became pregnant with my eldest son. At the time D was manager of the local charity shop and she allowed me to go through the baby stuff and get what I liked. Once my son was born D was like an adopted “nana” to him, and like my Mum doted on him. I asked D to be his Godmother and she agreed.
    Move forward 2.5years and my Mum was Dying of cancer, she asked D to look after me and my son and make sure we were ok etc. A week before my Mum died I found out I was pregnant with my 2nd son. Again, D did all she could to help out and looked after the eldest on occasions and took him out. We asked her if she would be Godmother to this baby as well and she said yes. Going forward 4more years I had my 3rd son and yes, D is Godmother to him as well.
    Although we don’t see D very often now as we live opposite ends of the country she always sends birthday and Christmas gifts, she sponsors the boys for things they do, she’s at the end of the phone and email if we need her. We are very lucky that my Mum made such a lovely friend. All of my sons know her as “auntie D” and know she isn’t related to them.
    I’m glad to call her a friend and shes like an adopted mum to me as well as my boys. I couldn’t have picked a better person to be part of their life.

    ReplyDelete

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