Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Another Love Story


Quite a while back I briefly mentioned that there was something going on here in my world that I couldn't discuss because it wasn't my story to tell but I have been given permission now and so I will because it is part of our family's story. 
Hmmmm... 
How to begin? 
Well. Over a year ago now, Lily and Jason separated. I had no idea that there was any problem between them and neither did almost anyone else. The day I mentioned that something had happened, Lily had come out to tell me and her Daddy and she was so very upset and so very worried that we would be angry or disappointed or one of those things that children never want their parents to be. 
Of course we were shocked, but there was no anger and no disappointment. Both Mr. Moon and I had been married to other people and divorced before we met each other. In a fantasy world people would fall in love, get married, and stay married forever and ever, happily ever after, always, amen.
In the real world, this does not always happen. 
And we went through feeling surprise and sorrow because the break-up of a family is very hard thing. I know. I broke up with my first husband when my children were little and I am still very emotional about that even though I know it was the right thing to do. Not just for me but for the children and for him. Still, it was one of the most incredibly difficult and heart-rending things I've ever experienced. 
It just was. 
So. We knew we wanted to support Lily in this very hard time and we knew that we also did not want to make Jason feel as if we were judging him in any way because we love Jason and he is the father of three of our grandchildren. And there really was no "fault" in this situation. It was mostly a falling-apart for various reasons and they had already decided that more than anything, they wanted the children to feel loved and cared for, safe and supported. 
As did their grandfather and I. 
The children are always the main concern and their health and happiness is of utmost importance. 
And things carried on. Jason eventually moved into his mother's house where the children feel at home when they stay with their dad and he has continued to be a big part of their lives and he and Lily get along very well so that the children see that their mother and father can be friends who love each other, still, in ways that matter, even if things change. 

And then Lily and Lauren began a relationship. I think that some of you may have already guessed parts of this. Especially when I've written about them all visiting Lauren's parents who treat the kids as if they were their own grandchildren. They have been far more than accepting. They have been thrilled to have these three kids become a part of their lives and they have taken them in with such love right along with Lily. 

And we have absolutely come to love Lauren. Although she certainly never expected to be in a relationship where children were involved, she has stepped up in ways that I can't even believe. She is so good with those kids. And she is so good to those kids. She is responsible and beyond caring. And the children know she cares. They know that she is Lily's partner and, well, in our family love is quite definitely love and that's all there is to it. 

And to be honest- I've never seen my daughter Lily happier in her life. It's absolutely unbelievable. For that and that alone I would love Lauren and be glad that she and Lily have found each other. 

Today the ladies brought the kids out so that we could exchange presents. Lily gave us homemade bath bombs and pickles and jellies and we got the kids presents, of course, and I had bought that silly unicorn rainbow salt and pepper holder for Lily and Lauren and I took the picture above. Lily loves that silly thing. Right before I took the picture, she said, "Maggie says she has two moms now."
We all laughed because- well, yeah. 

And a few hours ago Lily texted and told me that if I wanted to write about her and Lauren, it was okay. 
And now I have. 
Because you are all, in some way, part of my family. Some of you have known me now since before Lily had Owen. You have been with me through births and through deaths. Through times when I didn't know if I was going to make it out alive and times when I have been filled with joy. Hell, you know I wash my sheets on Friday. 

And in one more bit of news- I drove to Monticello today to pick up forms at the library to fill out and hand in to the health department which will get my husband and I scheduled for the Moderna vaccine. At first I said that I would wait awhile and let others who need it more get it but Mr. Moon said, "No. Owen and Gibson and Maggie need us." Since before Owen was born, his Boppy has been planning all the things they would do together when Owen got older and by damn, he's ready to do those things. And we are both so very, very ready to kiss the children, to hug them tight, to kiss and hug their mama. 
And Lauren. 
And Jason too. 



And bonus! I got to see Terez at the library! We were so happy to see each other. He called me his favorite hippie which delighted me. We chatted a bit outside, both of us masked, but he took off his mask for me to take his picture from a good distance away. 


What a sweet, sweet man. He misses us and we miss him and it was a joy to see him. 

All right, y'all. I think that's enough for one day. 

Love...Ms. Moon

54 comments:

  1. Ah lah Mary Moon 🥰💕💕💕
    Such loving and lovely news. I am so happy that those grandbabies have people who love them.... their 2 moms, their dad, their cousins and aunties and uncles, their MerMer and Bop.
    Thank you for sharing your heart!

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  2. Mary good news! I’m curious. How did you find out about the vaccines and library form? Lu-r

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    1. Our local county library sent out a notification on FB which is how I initially found out.

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  3. Congrats on the additions to your family - more people who love each other and you and your husband and all those kids - that's a great thing to have happen! Can't have enough love.
    Glad you are getting the vaccine - we have to wait awhile here. But I am ready when it is ready!

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    1. You're right- there is never too much love. Not of the real kind.

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  4. well, that is news. Add one more to the flock of folks who love the children. It is good and not so good news really, isn't it. Neil Sedaka sang about it, just about everyone has a song about breaking up. Difficult, sad but these folks of yours are all pretty smart about stuff and family is family forever. I congratulate Lily and Lauren and wish them the very best of love!

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    1. Oh, you're absolutely right. The break-up of a marriage can be a good thing but it's not an easy thing and it's never what one wishes for. Family is forever. Amen.

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  5. All the best to everyone here. And yes, get vaccinated if you can. That picture of Bop kissing Maggie bye is wrenching.

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  6. People love who they love and who are we to judge? I wish your whole wonderful family all the best! And, get the vaccine. I’m a bit younger but i’ll be there as soon as they let me. I haven’t seen grand babies in a whole fucking year! I really don’t think i can do this for another year! And, on that positive note, have a fabulous night, Ms. Moon! Thank you for sharing your family with us!
    Debbie

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    1. I'm going to get my vaccine as soon as I can.
      And thank you for the good wishes.

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  7. love is love and families can be however we choose to configure them. many blessings to everyone from the feral mitten.

    xxalainaxx

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  8. Lovely news and yes, Lily does look very happy. That's wonderful that your daughter and son in law are able to work things out so that the kids come first.

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  9. Whew, when you mentioned something was going on, I feared someone was ill.
    All we need is love,

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  10. I some ways I am almost stunned.....but overall I am in awe of the love and acceptance of your family.....love for the children..... love for each other. Bless all of you.
    Susan M

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    1. I was a bit stunned at first too. I mean- I had no idea! But, well, we all got over that pretty fast. It is what it is.

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  11. Ahh Mary, how I wish all families were like your family, warm and supporting and loving, their for each other with such open hearts. Another love story, yes, a perfect frame for this post. I am happy for Lily, and happy for you, too, because nothing makes us happier than our children's joy.

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  12. *there for each other. Also I'm glad you're getting the vaccine. Mr. Moon is right. You're needed. Loved.

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  13. How wonderful! I am happy that they are happy! Congratulations to them both. And I'm happy you'll be getting the vaccine! How does that work now? Of course it is probably different in every state but I've not heard anything about how we will get it here.

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    1. I'd say call your doctor or the health department. I am sure they are doing it differently in each state.
      Thanks for the congratulations, Bonnie.

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  14. Love is such a wonderful thing!

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  15. How lovely. So glad that your " news" is happy news.
    My cousin, who is very religious, and who I haven't seen for many years, well, when she found out that her 20 something daughter was with Rachael, and they were going to get married...she got L to come to the house and she had invited someone from the church to come and talk her out of it! Shades of " Oranges are not the only fruit" by Jeanette Winterson. Have you read it? Love to Lily and Lauren.I hope they will be very happy.

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    1. The tv series was amazing too. Also, yeesh at the conversion attempt.

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    2. I have neither read that book or seen the series. I'll look for it. And I feel so bad for your cousin's daughter. It's not going to change her to talk to anyone. She is who she is and I surely hope she did not throw away her chance at happiness to please her mother. Ugh.

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    3. They were supposed to get married this year in April, but Covid put a stop to that. I think it is arranged for next July..at the moment. I believe that my cousin finally came round to accepting it. I have been told all this by my other cousin who I am in regular touch with.

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  16. That is a lot of great news for one day. A lot of love in the Moon family and beyond. Happy for all concerned.

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    1. Well, we're all pretty happy that the major parties involved are happy and that is the best.

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  17. Well, that was a rollercoaster of a story! My reactions were all over the place. Oh no! Oh, oh my! It's tough, no matter what, but I'm glad everyone is happy (I hope Jason's ok too) and benefitting from being part of a bigger, if different circle of love.

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    1. I think Jason's doing okay. As I always say, it's the secrets that kill us and when truth is being lived out loud, it's best for all.

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  18. It's heartbreaking when your kids relationships don't work out isn't it but I'm so glad that Lily has found her happiness again. Since there doesn't seem to have been any "fault" in the break up I'm glad you can all be civilized about Jason. My son's wife (also Lily) brought on the divorce this year as you know and while they can be civilized he won't be going out of his way to see her (and I would never bad-mouth her either). I guess the difference is they have no children, which is why Lily and Lauren working out so well is the most important thing for the kids. Life moves on doesn't it!

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    1. Yeah. When there's no children it is completely different. But you're right- no one wants their children's relationships to not work out but we never know what's going on in anyone else's house, really, do we? And it's not good for anyone for people who are not happy together to stay together.

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  19. I'm so glad these changes have worked out so well, and you (and Lily and Lauren) have felt able to share them with us here. You just never know where life will take you, right? And you've gained a new and worthy family member!

    That unicorn is awesome. And it's great to see Terez again (for us as well as you)!

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    1. We DO have a lovely new family member! She's a good one.
      It was terrific to see Terez. He's such a sweet guy.

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  20. That really was a bit of a rollercoaster! I'm so glad to hear that Lily and Jason can put the childrens' welfare first and can continue to raise them as friends. Lauren sounds lovely, as do her parents, and kids can never have too many adults in their lives who adore them. Your family is such an inspiration to me both for the unconditional love you all have for each other and for your acceptance and inclusiveness.

    And hell yes!! to you and Mr. Moon getting the vaccine!!!!! That's great news!

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    1. You're so right- kids can never have too many adults in their lives who love them. And these adults live in a kid's fantasy land with all sorts of animals and a pool and a place to fish and- well, it goes on.
      We've learned so much about acceptance and inclusiveness from Hank and his friends. Plus, I've just never been the kind of mom who yes, wanted her kids to be happy but in the way SHE thought they should be happy. Not my job to figure out. And we all feel so much richer to know so many different types of love exist.

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  21. Happy news! Lily and Lauren look so happy and the children have more love in their lives ( if that’s possible!). Terez looks sweet, special and easy on the eyes. I’m curious too about registering at the library, they haven’t made any announcement in South Florida yet. My husband looked online and found a site to register , but like all the state run websites, this one keeps crashing or saying it’s busy. Much love to all.
    Xoxo
    Barbara

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    1. Terez is a doll. I suppose every county is doing it a bit differently. And you know- the county I live in is very underpopulated which sometimes can be a blessing. I hope y'all can get signed up soon.

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  22. Well, that was a great story. And I'm so glad that Lily seems to have found the right person for her now. And that everyone is so civilized and caring about each other, particularly so the kids grow up happily anyway, despite changes. Good for all of you.

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    1. Thank you, Boud. I don't know how civilized we are but we sure do love each other.

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  23. Love is complicated but so what. Delighted to read about this live and best wishes to all!

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    1. I love that: "Love is complicated but so what."
      Yes, m'am.

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  24. wow. I did not see that coming. I did think it was curious the last time you mentioned Lily and Lauren and the kids visiting Lauren's folks. well, you know people grow apart and other people grow together. I'm impressed that the split was and is so amicable though I shouldn't be surprised seeing as how it's your family. so happy for Lily.

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    1. We're not a "take sides" family. We're pretty much always on the same team. And yes. People do grow apart and people do grow together. You said that very well.

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  25. I haven't commented for so long, and have just been a reader. Your blog gives me such a lift and is a touchstone for my political beliefs and so much more. So glad Terez is still working at the library...haven't been there to find out. I once told him he is a rockstar in the community. Your words about Lily and Lauren were so accepting reminding us about change and love. This is a chance to wish you a happy New Year...it has to be better than this year. Keep on inspiring us in 2021!

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  26. My eyes have teared up reading this. Sad for Lily and Jason, happy for Lily and Lauren, happy for those children that are so very loved. And happy for a vaccine so you can hug again. Mr Moon is right, those children need you, and you have a wonderful milestone coming soon thanks to science!

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.