My partner's parents arrived from Nice yesterday.  This is the first time that they have been here in 6 years and they are staying with us for a week.  Unlike my immediate family they are a little more animated and that is OK.  I had a hard time understanding the relationship between my partner and his parents because it was so very different from the relationship that I had with mine.  As much as I learnt from a different model of the world in parental relationships, my partner also learnt from me.  Losing my Dad was a great catalyst for my other half to extend the olive branch to his parents.  I thought it was fitting that they brought us a miniature olive tree as gift.  It is a beautiful little tree that has come from the Cote D'Azur.  It is symbolic of a new beginning.

As we sat in the garden this evening having dinner, I counted my blessings and felt a level of relatedness to them such as I had never felt before.  I can appreciate them now in a whole different way and know that every moment we spend with our family be it immediate or extended is a precious gift.  I also know that my other half will look back on this time with a great feeling that he spent quality time with them and brought joy to them.  There are very few people in life who will accept you the way parents do.  Their eyes somehow filter out all of your imperfections and I have been able to enjoy, as an impartial observer, their love and admiration for their boy.  Rights of passage bear rich and sweet fruit. 

If you need to mend a relationship with a loved one or somebody who was once special to you, project yourself into the future and then look back at times when you see yourself enjoying special time with them and decide what you now want to do differently, then do it.  Remember you have the power to change your present and your future.