Today the Hartman Family will be breaking bread with the "other" family in Jax and Little Hart's life. We actually will be doing it twice over the next three days, in honor of their respective graduations. It's a first! When Jax and Little Hart had other graduations - separate, but equal celebrations were held. New territory for all of us.
It really happened quite organically- Wow did I actually just use that word? Um, yeah! Relations have been slowly evolving over the past year, following Little Hart's illness. I think Greta was able to see our real intentions were to create an atmosphere she and Little Hart could reconnect their mother/daughter relationship, not take Little Hart away.
For me, I got a brief glimpse into Greta's life and with it some insight . She shoulders most of her life's ups and downs on her own. I shoulder mine with support from many. Extending a hand in friendship has potential to bring more positive energy to both of our lives.
Our two families are never going to be the Demi Moore/Bruce Willis blended family model. Our day to day lifestyles are very different and in differing stages. Raylan and I are on countdown to being empty nesters and Greta is at the start of many more years of parenting with three young ones. They do not preclude us from celebrating the big moments in the life of our kids. We're getting practice for the even bigger ones that lay ahead.
My relationship with Greta has been full of highs and lows; challenging, hurtful, distant at times mixed with some humor, compassion and joy along the way. At times the same could be said for Raylan and Greta. All resulting in a divide between the two families. Both Jax and Little Hart felt the division, no matter how much we tried to shield them.
Today is less about eating a meal with the "other" family, or even that we have come together to celebrate a special occassion. At the heart of it, we are showing the kids, it's never to late to redefine your relationship. You can let go of hurt, anger and the things that crept in and created division. Today we are showing the kids peace, laughter and joy in enjoying the happiness from the two things we share in common - THEM!