AN: My first of two for today as they sort of go together. Hope you enjoy. Inspired by lyrics from "Wish You Were Here" by Avril Lavigne
Tying my father's bow tie in his bedroom, my eyes fall on the picture from his first wedding. He looks so happy in that picture, as happy as he does today, and I suddenly wonder if he even remembers her anymore. That if being with Carole has made him forget her altogether.
Does he ever think of the times the three of us had shared. Remember the ways mom had always gone above and beyond to make even the simplest accomplishment seem like a grand event. Like when I had rode my bike for the first time without training wheels and she had gotten all kinds of sundae ingredients and had let me create my own sundae. The kitchen had been a mess but all I remember was her smiling and saying how proud she was of me.
My mom was almost always upbeat. She said we had to enjoy life because our attitude affected how our days would turn out. 'Start the day off with a smile and you'll end it that way too no matter what happens throughout' was a saying she had told me whenever I had come home from school in tears because of getting teased by the other kids.
"Are you okay, Buddy?"
My father's question brings me out of my thoughts and I realize I haven't finished tying the bow tie. "Yeah, I was just thinking about mom."
As I finish the task my father glances over his shoulder at the picture. When he looks back at me, his eyes are glistening.
"You do know that as much as I love Carole, I will always love your mother. I would give anything to have her still here with us, but she isn't, and your mother would want us to be happy. Carole makes me happy, especially when I see the smile on your face because someone finally understands the things you like and knows what to say when you express your feelings. I try, but I'm just not good with those things."
"I do like, Carole," I tell him. "And you deserve to be happy but I still miss her."
"I know you do, son," he tells me as he envelopes me in a hug. "And there is nothing wrong with that, but we play the cards we're given. You're mom can't be here with us but finding a new family doesn't make her any less important."
Play the cards we're given - just another saying my mom loved to say. That choice of words tells me that my father hasn't forgotten my mom, and chases away the doubts that had been creeping in. Carole, Finn, Dad and I are two broken families that need one another to be whole again.
Like part of Dad, I want mom still with us, I'm sure Carole and Finn feel the same way about Mr. Hudson. But even though that can't be it doesn't mean the four of us can't take joy in what we have together.