Epilogue

Needless to say, that news was greeted with much more excitement and enthusiasm than the explanation of our camping trips. We covered all the usual questions of how was I feeling, how far along was I, when was I due, do we know the gender yet, etc. We discussed all of this at length and it was such a joy to see the excitement in their eyes about becoming grandparents of another child.

There was no further discussion of what we had revealed to them earlier for the rest of their visit. At least, not with us.

Beth arrived to join us later in the afternoon after all of this had taken place. She and Brian's mom and I fixed dinner for all of us and we enjoyed that time as well as the meal together.

Later in the evening, when it was Callie's bedtime, Brian and I took her to give her her bath and get her ready for bed. That's her regular routine and it's such a fun time for her to play in the tub and then afterwards to read a few books and say our prayer before putting her to bed. It had been a big day and she went right to sleep.

While we were doing all that, Beth and her parents had a short, but direct conversation about her visits to the campground with us. I had taken Beth aside for a minute earlier and had filled her in on what had happened with Callie and her picture book and the discussion that we had had afterwards. I told her that it had included her going with us. She was fine with that and said she was glad it was now out in the open.

Later, she told me about how her conversation with her parents had gone. She said she was the one who brought it up while the three of them were together. She told them that I had mentioned to her about the earlier conversation and that she wanted them to know that Brian and I had not twisted her arm or pressured her in any way about going; that she had accepted our invitation willingly and with the anticipation of having an enjoyable time. And she told them that she did enjoy it and had gone with us again a few times.

Her mom said that she thought it must have been awkward being with her brother like that. Beth told her that we had talked it all through ahead of time, that she just followed our lead, and after the first few minutes it wasn't awkward any longer.

She said her mom brought up the subject of how Beth had always been so modest about her body growing up. Beth responded by telling her that she now realizes that that was all due to bad influences from friends and the media that shaped an attitude that she was inferior because she didn't think she measured up to all these perceived standards. Beth went on to explain that she now feels that she has a better attitude about that based on these recent experiences with us.

There were a few other questions and points of their discussion that overlapped with what Brian and I had told them and it sounded like Beth's responses were pretty much along the same lines as ours. I'm glad it was a consistent message that was provided to them that day.

So, all in all, it was good that we finally had this discussion with Brian's parents. On the one hand, Brian and I felt better about finally having it out in the open with them. On the other, we felt bad about causing them any distress or concerns, but we needed to get the truth out there since they are so close to us and we want to keep it that way. We want them very much involved in our children's lives. And we know that they want that, too.

Over time, we haven't changed their opinion of our family's tradition for nude living and recreation. I guess I would describe it as a reluctant acceptance of this about us. But they already knew us so well. They know that we have way more in common than we have differences. And we're a family; we accept each other's similarities and differences. So, in spite of this difference, love wins out and we have a great relationship with them.

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Epilogue 2

I guess the only good thing about me having taken so long to finish this writing project is that I have the perspective of time to reflect back on it and draw some further conclusions.

First of all, that pregnancy that we announced that weekend resulted in the birth of our son. After that there was another announcement and that pregnancy resulted in the birth of our third child, another daughter. Thinking back on all the hopes and plans for bringing up our children to have the right attitude about their bodies that we discussed with Brian's parents that day, I would say that we are still on track towards that as we go along. I know it's still just the beginning in that our oldest is early into her teen years and the younger two aren't there yet, but they all seem to be well adjusted in accepting themselves and others as they are. I haven't noticed any self-doubts or feelings of inferiority about their bodies or how they look; and no negative comparisons of themselves to others. Time will tell, but we'll be ever vigilant as we continue to teach them and set the example of what we believe about all this.

I'm happy to say that what I wrote way back then about us having a great relationship with Brian's parents continues to this day. No, we haven't changed their opinions about our tradition of nude living and recreation. And that was never our goal. But their acceptance level of our ways has grown more comfortable over time. And that has made it more comfortable for all of us. No tension. No more elephant in the room. Their love for all three of their grandchildren and their involvement in their lives has flourished. And our kids adore their grandparents and always look forward to seeing and hearing from them. We all get together fairly frequently given the distance between us. Birthdays, school events, etc. And sometimes just because we all want to.

It truly is all about knowing someone in depth that makes the acceptance of differences go more smoothly and positively. Even surprising differences like this one. When you already know someone well and know what they're all about, an unexpected or unfamiliar difference such as this is much easier to consider, understand, and accept even when it's something that is not anything that you would ever adopt for yourself. It presents that difference in a more positive light as well as gives it credibility. We need to allow ourselves to be known; to share ourselves deeply with others; and seek to know them in the same way as well. Yes, that's how love wins out.

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The End

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