Living Without School: You didn't have them all together?

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

You didn't have them all together?

Tonight Gerry and I had a meeting with a financial advisor. Just organizing a few things.

This guy is our new advisor, here in Sydney.

He asked about children - how many total, how many dependents. I said 7 boys.

"You didn't have them all together?" he asked.

I looked blank.

"Some are from Gerry's first marriage, right?" he continued.

I was startled. I forgot that it can seem weird to some people, that yes, Gerry has 7 children but, yes, he has only been married once and, yes, I gave birth to all 7; I am the mother of all 7; that we are not a blended family... Not that there is something bad about a blended family but it is comical to find that a large family is assumed to be a blended family. To be told that I don't look or act like a mother of a large family ( how am I supposed to act, btw? lol!).

The advisor took some convincing.

Then asked if were "good Catholics".

I had to laugh.

7 comments:

Cindy said...: Ha ha.. funny story Leonie!

I would say your financial advisor is a bit nosey! lol Here in the US one would probably be sued for asking such questions...

That is funny, though, and yes large families are a rarety here, too. The other day after Mass on Father's Day our pastor pointed out one of a very few large families we have (7 kids) and people gasped (in a nice way. :))

I have noticed that at the Y as I meet new people outside my homeschooling or Catholic world- often though, it will be a family with one or two older kids.. then one or two youngers. It never crossed my mind when I met them that they were blended (as my neigbors are fairly secular and the had 2 kids, then another 13 years later...)

But, so far they are all blended. Also the rate of divorced/remarried people I am meeting is running way over 50%.

Well, glad you straightened him out.. and no you are not the stereotype of a mom to lots of little chicks... they are probably thinking a worn down house mum! You have zest! :); 12:15 am
Anonymous said...: That is funny. I'm amazed at hot starngers feel they can ask, or say anything regarding family size. ARGHH; 4:01 am
Leonie said...: Interesting to read your experiences, Cindy.

Ruth, its true, people are so funny - its probably good that he didn't ask about what schools the kids go to! lol!; 9:12 am
Anonymous said...: Interesting how our western world perceives such "anomalies"!!! Good Catholics simply because you have 7 children... you should've said, Good Catholics, yes, because we believe, go to Mass and pray! see you soon :); 6:28 pm
Leonie said...: I know, Fr good Catholics because of family size??? But I had to laugh, he was inadvertantly funny. Have a safe journey!; 7:01 pm
Anonymous said...: LOL - I've answered "Well, not all at the same TIME!!"; 11:07 pm
Leonie said...: :-) Beate - that is what I thought he meant at first! lol!; 8:18 am

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Prayer of Consecration of St. Maximilian Kolbe

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to thee. I, N___, a repentant sinner, cast myself at thy feet humbly imploring thee to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to thyself as thy possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases thee. If it pleases thee, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of thee: "She will crush your head," and, "Thou alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world."

Let me be a fit instrument in thine Immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed Kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever thou enters, one obtains the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through thy hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

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Prayer of St Bonaventure

Pierce, O most Sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, with true, serene, and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with love and longing for Thee, that it may yearn for Thee and faint for Thy courts, and long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the bread of angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delight of taste; let my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, upon whom the angels desire to look, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst after Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the richness of the house of God.May it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, attain Thee, meditate upon Thee, speak of Thee, and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, and with perseverance unto the end.May Thou alone be ever my hope, my entire assurance, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my fragrance, my sweet savor, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession and my treasure, in whom may my mind and my heart be fixed and firmly rooted immovably henceforth and for ever. Amen.