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The Garden of Life
“How did Grandpa Jim make you?" Yikes! I knew the day would come when my son, Jack, would have more questions about how and why I have two dads, but I didn’t expect this question from my 6-year-old. I have always been open about my birth father and my adoptive father. My children and I have relationships with both people. I explain this phenomenon with “one made me and one raised me.”
When Jack asked, “How did Grandpa Jim make you?” I knew I had to think fast. The first thing that came to mind was the mating of animals. We have seen this on television, but I felt it was too close to reality and would only elicit more questions namely: “Does Daddy do that to you?” Seeing my struggling orchids in my kitchen window gave me inspiration. I explained that every woman has eggs inside her. These are like the seeds of plants. Every man has something called sperm. This is the water for the seed. When the sperm “waters” the egg, a baby grows. In short, the man is the gardener, and the woman is the garden.
Fortunately, Jack was satisfied with this answer, and I have new confidence that I will be able to answer future tough questions. With my recent success, my husband has delegated all future sexuality questions from our son and 4-year-old daughter to me. The mere thought of discussing these things sends his head spinning.
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