The Oddity of Life and Love, Part II

We got a Wii for Christmas. It was a fantastic moment, as the kids had already given up hope for a Wii in lieu of saving their money for a mission trip. I gave them a bunch of little ratty gifts and was kinda like, "Ok, done!" And then Morgan spied the end of one present that had come un-taped. She saw a Wii on the box & started squealing "You didn't!" "You did???" "You DID!!!" It was awesome. So much excitement! It almost made me cry.

However, there are these cute little characters called "Mii's" that you create as the cartoon version of yourself. As you play the game your Mii is acting out the motions in whatever game you are playing. My precious children, in their enthusiastic zeal for the Wii and their sweet, loving innocence… decided to create a Mii for every person in their family. They spent almost an hour one day constructing cartoon characters of parents, grandparents, friends and cousins. So the other day I was playing baseball with my son and who should I be pitching to? My ex-husband. I played doubles in tennis against his fiancé, as well. Oh the irony.

No matter where I go or what I do I cannot escape my past. It kinda bites that I paid so much money for something that forces me to face my mistakes on a daily basis and even play volley ball with them! But it is a good thing, I was thinking, that the kids feel comfortable enough in our relationship to not even consider it odd that I should be on a bowling team that includes their soon to be step sister and my ex-husband (also known as their Dad in some circles). Some parents infuse their children with negative information about the other parent, effectively poisoning their own relationships. I have to guard against that & actively choose to keep my mouth closed in certain instances.

I wish life was that easy, actually. Play tennis, shake hands, go home. We do not and may not ever get along well enough to live in such Wii harmony, but we have both done a good job sheltering and protecting our children. We don't put them in the middle. We try very hard not to drag them into any argument we may be having, which seems to be a lot lately. I think it shows in what I would call their "un-taintedness". This split life is not easy for the kids but for the most part they seem well adjusted, warm & kind. I cannot say that about many children whose families are in tact. Once again, my whole life is a testament to the graciousness of merciful God.

Perhaps God is even snickering from on high when I am forced, by the love of my children, to play basketball with my ex. As Holy as God is, I think He has a wicked sense of humor sometimes!