It's When I'm Reminded

... of things I don't like. Like, for instance, I'm not their bio-mom. Most of the time, I'm completely MOM. PC says that in his mind, I AM their mom. PC's family says that in their minds I AM their mom. Most of the people I'm around on a weekly basis treat me as if I AM their bio-mom. Even the boys themselves treat me as if I am completely mom - other than the rare times they talk about their bio-mom, in which case there is obviously a distinction given for the sake of the conversation.

But sometimes I get reminded I'm not. And that stinks. And sometimes it's startling. Like when I'm dealing with medical issues for the boys, and have to fill out paperwork. Our last name is the same, so most of the time I can "fake" it - in the sense that I AM the one caring for them, and I'm the one making arrangements for them, and dealing with all the legal/medical/etc issues. And generally (presumably because our last name is the same - why WOULD they question anything??) I don't even have to deal with being labeled "stepmom". But I had a couple different incidents lately where someone would not speak to me about them, because I'm not their biological mother. 

Delightful. You'd rather speak to someone who hasn't seen them in three years? (Or is it four now? I've lost count.) You'd rather speak to someone who abandoned them when they were 3 and 5, than the person who is homeschooling them, cooking for them, cleaning for them, taking responsibility for their medical issues, shopping for them, teaching them, training them, playing with them, helping them, talking to them, encouraging them, scolding them, hugging them, loving them? 

Yeah. That makes perfect sense. 

Because obviously, she cares about them more than I do. 

Yeah.

My horrible side would enjoy giving an inappropriate response like "Grow a brain, honey." But then my somewhat nicer side takes over and I realize I can't give that answer. 

So instead, I blog. And subject my poor readers to my sarcasm. Sometimes I feel badly about that. Because my readers have been SO supportive, and kind, and send me encouraging notes both on and off the blog. It hardly seems fair to them. But then I remember that anyone offended by my sarcasm can stop reading any time they wish. Because the friends that stick around don't seem to mind riding the waves with me, and being 

where I'm at.

And for that, I'm grateful.

It is so good of God to give me friends that laugh with me, cry with me, pray with me, celebrate with me. 

I'm blessed. 

And if the stupid people don't ever grow a brain... well, I have a God and very large support team of friends and family behind me. I don't need their brain anyhow. ;-)

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P.S. Lest anyone get too worried about me... it's been good lately. Today was just a bit frustrating and I had to vent a bit. I'm sure after a good sleep I'll be back on top again. :-)