When my son was in the 4th grade, I asked my parents if they'd be interested in speaking to his class about what it was like to have immigrated to America.
This year, they were excited to be invited back to Heritage Day by Hope's 4th grade teacher, who heard them speak a few years ago and was hoping they'd share their experiences with her class, as well.
This time, I was a little concerned about their being able to go through with it.
To be honest, physically, mentally, emotionally, my parents are in a very different place (who isn't, right?) they have their good days and bad days — not to mention, down right sucktastic times when they can no longer hide the pain from their faces — so, I didn't make any promises and just hoped for a good day.
It was a REAL good day.
In fact, I'm seriously considering taking on a managing role and hitting the public speaking circuit with these two: they are SUCH good tawww-kuhs (or, tock-kerrrrzzzzz, if you're from Hungary!)
My inlaws, not so much.
My mother-in-law suffers from trigeminal neuralogia, has for years, to the point where the simple act of eating, drinking, talking and even smiling, causes her debilitating pain.
Married to their son, for nearly 21 years, I feel it safe to say that it probably hurts my father-in-law, even more. Dad grew up outside of Boston (or, if you're from Boston, then Bah-ston) so, I really do appreciate his strong New England sensibilities and his wicked sense of humor (dry as it is) especially, on a good day, when my mother-in-law is, you know, not hurting.
I don't blog about my in-laws, much. The fact that either one of them might be reading this, right now, is probably making my father-in-law, you know, itch and I'm really sorry about that.
Because, we ALL have learned to enjoy each others company (yes, on purpose!) and, although we may not always agree, let alone, get a word in edgewise (sorry, Grandpa!) my inlaws are an important part of our family's story, as well.
IN OTHER WORDS: Yesterday was a REAL good day, too.
Consider yourselves blogged, Mom and Dad (you're welcome!!!)
© 2003 – 2011 This Full House
Comments
64 responses to “The Neglected Side of My Kids’ Family Tree”
It is obvious that you love and respect your parents and in-laws. I don’t think any one them need worry about you blogging about them.
It is obvious that you love and respect your parents and in-laws. I don’t think any one them need worry about you blogging about them.
It is obvious that you love and respect your parents and in-laws. I don’t think any one them need worry about you blogging about them.
It is obvious that you love and respect your parents and in-laws. I don’t think any one them need worry about you blogging about them.
It is obvious that you love and respect your parents and in-laws. I don’t think any one them need worry about you blogging about them.
It is obvious that you love and respect your parents and in-laws. I don’t think any one them need worry about you blogging about them.
It is obvious that you love and respect your parents and in-laws. I don’t think any one them need worry about you blogging about them.
It is obvious that you love and respect your parents and in-laws. I don’t think any one them need worry about you blogging about them.
We all need more REAL good days.
We all need more REAL good days.
We all need more REAL good days.
We all need more REAL good days.
We all need more REAL good days.
We all need more REAL good days.
We all need more REAL good days.
We all need more REAL good days.
This is a pretty awesome post. You are lucky to have such a great relationship with your inlaws. And who doesn’t love YOU?! 🙂
This is a pretty awesome post. You are lucky to have such a great relationship with your inlaws. And who doesn’t love YOU?! 🙂
This is a pretty awesome post. You are lucky to have such a great relationship with your inlaws. And who doesn’t love YOU?! 🙂
This is a pretty awesome post. You are lucky to have such a great relationship with your inlaws. And who doesn’t love YOU?! 🙂
This is a pretty awesome post. You are lucky to have such a great relationship with your inlaws. And who doesn’t love YOU?! 🙂
This is a pretty awesome post. You are lucky to have such a great relationship with your inlaws. And who doesn’t love YOU?! 🙂
This is a pretty awesome post. You are lucky to have such a great relationship with your inlaws. And who doesn’t love YOU?! 🙂
This is a pretty awesome post. You are lucky to have such a great relationship with your inlaws. And who doesn’t love YOU?! 🙂
Love this. And hooray for the good days. 🙂
Love this. And hooray for the good days. 🙂
Love this. And hooray for the good days. 🙂
Love this. And hooray for the good days. 🙂
Love this. And hooray for the good days. 🙂
Love this. And hooray for the good days. 🙂
Love this. And hooray for the good days. 🙂
Love this. And hooray for the good days. 🙂
The good days are awesome!
The good days are awesome!
The good days are awesome!
The good days are awesome!
The good days are awesome!
The good days are awesome!
The good days are awesome!
The good days are awesome!
Great post with lots of memories for the kiddos when they grow older, sorry to hear about your mother in law suffering from trigeminal neuralogia. You are the first person I have seen that has mentioned on any blogs, my husband also has trigeminal neuralogia. He has good days and not so good days, the meds make him sleepy and he get moody that he can’t enjoy things he used to. We are discussing whether to have the surgery to pad the nerve or not. I will keep your mother in law in our daily prayers,
Great post with lots of memories for the kiddos when they grow older, sorry to hear about your mother in law suffering from trigeminal neuralogia. You are the first person I have seen that has mentioned on any blogs, my husband also has trigeminal neuralogia. He has good days and not so good days, the meds make him sleepy and he get moody that he can’t enjoy things he used to. We are discussing whether to have the surgery to pad the nerve or not. I will keep your mother in law in our daily prayers,
Great post with lots of memories for the kiddos when they grow older, sorry to hear about your mother in law suffering from trigeminal neuralogia. You are the first person I have seen that has mentioned on any blogs, my husband also has trigeminal neuralogia. He has good days and not so good days, the meds make him sleepy and he get moody that he can’t enjoy things he used to. We are discussing whether to have the surgery to pad the nerve or not. I will keep your mother in law in our daily prayers,
Great post with lots of memories for the kiddos when they grow older, sorry to hear about your mother in law suffering from trigeminal neuralogia. You are the first person I have seen that has mentioned on any blogs, my husband also has trigeminal neuralogia. He has good days and not so good days, the meds make him sleepy and he get moody that he can’t enjoy things he used to. We are discussing whether to have the surgery to pad the nerve or not. I will keep your mother in law in our daily prayers,
Great post with lots of memories for the kiddos when they grow older, sorry to hear about your mother in law suffering from trigeminal neuralogia. You are the first person I have seen that has mentioned on any blogs, my husband also has trigeminal neuralogia. He has good days and not so good days, the meds make him sleepy and he get moody that he can’t enjoy things he used to. We are discussing whether to have the surgery to pad the nerve or not. I will keep your mother in law in our daily prayers,
Great post with lots of memories for the kiddos when they grow older, sorry to hear about your mother in law suffering from trigeminal neuralogia. You are the first person I have seen that has mentioned on any blogs, my husband also has trigeminal neuralogia. He has good days and not so good days, the meds make him sleepy and he get moody that he can’t enjoy things he used to. We are discussing whether to have the surgery to pad the nerve or not. I will keep your mother in law in our daily prayers,
Great post with lots of memories for the kiddos when they grow older, sorry to hear about your mother in law suffering from trigeminal neuralogia. You are the first person I have seen that has mentioned on any blogs, my husband also has trigeminal neuralogia. He has good days and not so good days, the meds make him sleepy and he get moody that he can’t enjoy things he used to. We are discussing whether to have the surgery to pad the nerve or not. I will keep your mother in law in our daily prayers,
Great post with lots of memories for the kiddos when they grow older, sorry to hear about your mother in law suffering from trigeminal neuralogia. You are the first person I have seen that has mentioned on any blogs, my husband also has trigeminal neuralogia. He has good days and not so good days, the meds make him sleepy and he get moody that he can’t enjoy things he used to. We are discussing whether to have the surgery to pad the nerve or not. I will keep your mother in law in our daily prayers,
Hi Karen,
So nice of you to visit here and thank you for your kind thoughts. We've also discussed surgery. My MIL is in her 80's and, well, you know. You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers, as well.
Hugs,
Liz
Hi Karen,
So nice of you to visit here and thank you for your kind thoughts. We've also discussed surgery. My MIL is in her 80's and, well, you know. You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers, as well.
Hugs,
Liz
Hi Karen,
So nice of you to visit here and thank you for your kind thoughts. We've also discussed surgery. My MIL is in her 80's and, well, you know. You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers, as well.
Hugs,
Liz
Hi Karen,
So nice of you to visit here and thank you for your kind thoughts. We've also discussed surgery. My MIL is in her 80's and, well, you know. You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers, as well.
Hugs,
Liz
Hi Karen,
So nice of you to visit here and thank you for your kind thoughts. We've also discussed surgery. My MIL is in her 80's and, well, you know. You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers, as well.
Hugs,
Liz
Hi Karen,
So nice of you to visit here and thank you for your kind thoughts. We've also discussed surgery. My MIL is in her 80's and, well, you know. You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers, as well.
Hugs,
Liz
Hi Karen,
So nice of you to visit here and thank you for your kind thoughts. We've also discussed surgery. My MIL is in her 80's and, well, you know. You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers, as well.
Hugs,
Liz
Hi Karen,
So nice of you to visit here and thank you for your kind thoughts. We've also discussed surgery. My MIL is in her 80's and, well, you know. You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers, as well.
Hugs,
Liz
Hi karen
I really enjoyed reading your article, you may be given a beautiful day
Hi karen
I really enjoyed reading your article, you may be given a beautiful day
Hi karen
I really enjoyed reading your article, you may be given a beautiful day
Hi karen
I really enjoyed reading your article, you may be given a beautiful day
Hi karen
I really enjoyed reading your article, you may be given a beautiful day
Hi karen
I really enjoyed reading your article, you may be given a beautiful day
Hi karen
I really enjoyed reading your article, you may be given a beautiful day
Hi karen
I really enjoyed reading your article, you may be given a beautiful day