There is a relationship that i could never interfere with; never replace; never break - the relationship between my son and his grandfather.

Now, this is not a normal grandson/grandfather relationship -my b0y Brady, and my step-dad Geoff are in no way related through blood or lineage - yet they have a bond that would surely make you think that they are so connected by blood. They think alike, they dress alike, they laugh alike . . . . they are both Trouble!!!

Geoff is a typical Englishman - sarcastic, centre of attention, laughter all the time, nags - all the typical grandfather traits - and Brady, I swear to God has copied all of them. He is sarcastic, laughs and nags me silly too.

The silly little things that make me realize how much Geoff means to Brady: " I have to get poppa to show me how to tie my tie"; "Poppa let me drive his caddy!"; "I bet poppa would show me";" I'm gonna tell Poppa"; "i love my poppa" and on and on. When these two get together in a family situation, it is like a competition starts - who can be the biggest smartass the fastest - who can tease nanna the most? who will get told off first for being rude? It just makes me sit back and smile when i see their relationship - a relationship not built on blood, but built on love, respect, adoration, and the feeling of just knowing how much the other one loves you.

I love Geoff for loving my son so much - he is just the son of his step-daughter (and i was never officially adopted). He loves Brady just because, he loves both our boys, just because. And when I see the laughter, the teasing and the pure love between them, i thank god that my children have had this opportunity to really grow with their grandparents. An opportunity i did not have.

Brady will sit and listen to poppa tell stories of his childhood, about the war, about stealing the silk from the parachutes, about getting in trouble at school, about his parents . . . he will listen for hours, and ask questions - and i think Poppa really loves telling his stories - i must remember to get a tape recorder as these stories will be lost in time if not.

So for Christmas 2010, we will all be together, telling stories, laughing and sharing. It has been many years since this happened, and i am truly thankful to have the holiday season with my parents, my kids, my hubby, my sis and my nephews.