From StepMom to Mom
~ by Patsy Layman
A young 28 with a can do anything attitude
That was me when I acquired my brood.
My three and his four, a blended family of nine
seven children, 12,11,9,7,4,2 and 10 months
…we’ll be just fine.
Quiet tranquility was my life before
At five AM on the first day
…quiet was no more.
Three small boys running and playing with toys
Sleepy sisters yelling “Mom what’s with all of the noise?”
Now the baby’s awake in the room next door
but Dad’s still asleep,
…did I hear a snore?
Fixing breakfast,refereeing new siblings, get four off to school
Door closes, big sigh, only three home now, it’s cool.
A few months in the city and we have decided to move
Seven children need room in the country to groove.
We waved goodbye to our furniture and car in the moving van
Loaded our children and cat on the 747 according to plan.
California to New Hampshire and a house built in 1776
Thirty acres to play in and lots of projects to fix.
Time goes by and we want to make mine and yours, ours
The attorney prepares adoption papers for the judge with that power.
From StepMom to Mom in just one day
Never thought of myself as a Step Mom anyway.
Today with three Great Grandchildren and 14 Grandchildren
…plus my lucky seven
I think this is what I call Heaven!
The Blended Bells (1972)
(L-R): Kenny, Dad, Mom, Terrill, Rebecca, Me, David, Chris, Michael
In New Hampshire (1974)
Back Row (L-R) Dad, Mom, Terrill, Rebecca
Middle Row: David, Me
Front Row: Kenny, Michael, Chris
About Patsy
Patsy Layman is my mom – I was one of the four she acquired when she was 28 years old. My mom started out as my stepmom but became my mom. She’s seen me through thick and thin, she’s experienced my joys and my sorrows, and she was the best battle buddy a breast cancer fighter could ask for. My mom spent her 60th birthday inside the waiting room of Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, MA when I had my mastectomy. Mom flew across the country the day before, spent the night with me in a hotel near the hospital. She was there every step of the way…and to see her with my girls and my dad when I woke up…
Two years later, mom trekked across the country again…but this time under much better circumstances…in May of 2006, she arrived to witness her oldest grand daughter (my daughter Jessica) graduate from college and to re-meet Richard – the only boyfriend I had in high school that she liked…six months later, she flew the redeye from Seattle to watch as Richard and I said “I do.”
Since becoming a stepmom myself, my mom has been a HUGE source of strength and support. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve picked up the phone when Junior’s pulled some nutty stunt “MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! What do I do?”
When it comes to being a stepmom, my mom is my inspiration!
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Whata great story, so uplifting and positive. I love to see non-bio kids and parents have such strong relationships, I hope I too can have that one day. Great post, your mom was one brave woman!
I can only hope that one day I’ll have with my sd what you and your mom have. I think we are half way there some days…other days I feel like we’ve just began at the begining again. Life’s journey is funny that way…
Its a beautiful story…thank you for sharing. I love that you got her, and she got you!!!!
Lovely poem. It’s always nice to hear stories like this that wonderful things can and do happen in stepfamilies. Your Mom is an inspiration and you are too!
Such a great story! I love it!!!
Ladies – thank you! My mom is the bestest! Mom is proof that yes, good things really do happen in remarried families!
Your Mom RULES!! (aside from my late, wonderful Mom, of course!)
Thanks so much for this awesome article, Peggy!!
Jeannie the Bunny
Thanks Jeannie!
Awww!!! That is such a wonderful, beautiful, inspirational story! And it’s YOUR life–wow! YOUR Stepmom! Double-Wow! What a blessing to read! Thank you SO much for sharing this with ES!
ES – my Mom is such a blessing! This is just a sneak peek at Mom – you’ll get to learn more about her and her triumphs as a stepmom in my book!
Love the pictures and the post!! What a lovely photo of you and your mom. Thanks for posting.
Just curious–were the biological parents “in the picture”?
How were they able to move all those kid across country without a fuss from the exes?
Maggie – thank you!
Joanna – good questions! I can speak to my bio-mom – she was declared unfit by the family court of California in 1971. My dad had full physical and legal custody of me and my brothers. As far as my sisters dad – not sure. I’ll have to ask mom. Same with my youngest brother…I know his father signed his rights over to my dad because my youngest brother was adopted by dad a year before mom adopted me and my brothers…I’ll check…and see if mom will fill in the gaps!
Great poem! Would you like to feature it on the Blended Family contributions page of my website?
http://www.blendedfamilyadvice.com/readercontributions
Shirley Cress Dudley, MA LPC
Blended Family Coach
Shirley,
LOVE to! Thanks so much! My mom is going to be thrilled!
What a lovely, heartwarming story. You are both so blessed. And you know what I think? You look just like your mother.
Loved reading this. Thank you and your Mom for sharing it!
Peggy, I’ve posted your poem and photos on my site. You (and your mom) can see them at: http://www.blendedfamilyadvice.com/readercontributions
Also, thank you for the referrals! I appreciate you sending folks to me for step family coaching.
Shirley Cress Dudley, MA LPC
http://www.BlendedFamilyAdvice.com
Thank you Shirley!
And you are very WELCOME. I talked to my friend last night and it sounds like such good fit!