Giving My Kids to a 'Regular' Family

THE OLD STRIPPER

GIVING MY KIDS TO A “REGULAR” FAMILY

I have always prided myself with the fact that I raised my two kids on my own with no help from anyone. There were many difficult times due to lack of money. There were many happy times. The happy times far outnumbered the difficult times. The whole time my kids were little and needed me was happy - even though we were not as well-off as most.

I always placed their needs and desires above anything and anybody. I know this made them happy; but it, also, made

me happy.

Sometimes during the period that I was raising my kids, a smart-ass would tell me that I should give my children to a "regular"

family – a “home” - a mom and dad situation - and quit dragging them all over the country. But I loved them and still do more than life itself. I could not bare to think about their being with

someone else.

One person who always aggravated me to give my children away was Frenchie, a regular dancer in Detroit. Her boyfriend or husband, I do not know which, was the manager. She was always telling me I should give up my kids. People like her I

hated immediately.

I am just glad that I never did listen to all the ignorant advice such as this. There was never a doubt in my mind that I was doing the right thing by keeping my kids. I was sure of it then; and I am sure of it now.

I tried to teach my kids that a house did not make a home; and when we were together, we were at home no matter where we were. I, also, tried to teach them that when we were apart – me at work traveling and them in their boarding schools – that we were still at “home” in our hearts and minds.

Many tell me this was selfish and maybe it was. But I am able to look in the mirror today and know that I did the best I knew how

and did not give them up.

If I would have given them up, maybe they would have been happier. But I would not go back and change it. I would keep my kids. Maybe I really am a selfish person drowning my selfishness with love. Maybe I was really placing my great desire before my children which was to have them with me. Maybe all the good things I did for them was really for me.