I am sitting here on what could easily be called ‘the most beautiful day of the year.’ It is amazing here in the Midwest. The sun is shining, the temps are reasonable and the colors… well, I can’t even tell you how fantastic they are. I love days like this. I have OSG and the other kids working outside. He is 14 1/2 and fights me on it but I know the value of a pretty day and hard work. Today is good for both.
OSG continues to grow. I am amazed at his size already and he hasn’t hit his major growth spurt. He has outgrown his older brother (by 4 months) and is not slowing down. He doesn’t understand why he has to be so big. I have discussed it with him and his brother telling them in detail about the genetic make-up and how it differs from person to person. That does not stop the boys from giving each other a hard time. I work very hard against this type of treatment. OSG is tall and carries a little bit extra weight. Yet, I see him growing out of the extra weight as he stretches up. His older brother is going to be average height and weight. He desires to get the height of OSG.
The rivalry between the boys is difficult. I believe that it is true for most kids that are close in age so I do not blame it on adoption. The boys have always been together. They eat together, school together, work together and play together. So the comparison game is always on. It can get exhausting. Yet, I see a true loyalty in them. They can mess with the other but no one else can. I try to view this sibling rivalry as just that- normal. It is common to blame issues on the adoption that occurred. I try very hard not to do that. The adoption is very important but it is equally important to not make it a crutch. That is why I help OSG to look past his adoption and deal with things in his life in a normal functioning way. By not adding the adoption element, I am offering him the opportunity to move forward in a way that will bring fulfillment to his life. That is my number one purpose. I cannot wait to see the adult that he becomes.
OSG is learning that though he is adopted, it doesn’t have to change his day-to-day life. He has the power to work through whatever issues spring up and move on.
~Angie
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