Choices.....

"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get"

That falls true for life being all about choices. Hubby and I experienced this over the past weekend. Our family is a blended family. My husband has two boys from his first marriage and I have 3 girls from my first marriage. Our children do not live with us. My girls live on the mainland, but we are fortunate to see them on a regular basis. My husbands boys unfortunately live 5000km away. His boys are still school age so the only time we get to see them is during vacation times such as Christmas, Spring break and the summer. Along with that we have to share there visits with Christmas and Spring break by alternating every year.

This year is our turn to have his boys here for Christmas, needless to say hubby and I really look forward to their visits. I am sure you can appreciate that it takes some planning to organize dates for visits. We appreciate that their mom would like to have Christmas with them so they celebrate it a few days before Christmas. This year presents us with a dilemma. Eldest son is in love and really wants to spend Christmas with his girlfriend and her family.

He had asked back in November if there would be any possibility of having his girlfriend come out west for Christmas. His father told him we would consider it. Needless to say my hubby spoke with his ex to find out what it was all about. Long and short of it.....girlfriend did not get the ok from her parents(no surprise there)so eldest son has opted not to come. Well actually what he wanted his father to agree to, was to fly him out west for only 4 days and not the extended visit as planned. My hubby said no.....he said he wanted him out here for the full time...as I mentioned we only see the boys during vacation time. That is the unfortunate part of all this. We recognize they are getting older,and have made their lives out east and want to spend vacation time with their friends. It's difficult....but it's choices. Hubby could have enforced his sons visit but what would that have achieved?

Christmas is close and we haven't booked the flights....after many telephone calls and much discussion the decision was made......only youngest son is coming. I think eldest son was thinking his father was going to cave into his wishes......hubby was hoping eldest son would still want to come.

Life is so short....what a shame that eldest son couldn't see beyond his desire to be with his girlfriend and realize he is missing out on spending some valuable time with his father. It's all about choices. I just hope he is mature enough to be able to live with his choice.