BC #4 – originally posted 10/27/03

Everything is moving along nicely with the baby. TJ’s belly is starting to grow and her morning sickness is getting a little better. She’s able to get up and move around for a few hours at a time without throwing up.

I was nervous about how some members of my family would react. You just never know. Some people are ok with the “gay thing,” but have very strong not-ok feelings about the “gay thing” mixed with the “baby thing.” So far, however, everyone has been supportive, if not excited.

A little over a week ago, my cousin Nicole had a birthday party for her one year old son, Nolen. Several of my aunts and uncles and cousins were there. Nearly every one of them made a point of wishing TJ and I the best. Many even offered TJ advice on coping with pregnancy – and me. I was so proud to be a part of my family that day. I know that this can’t be easy for some of them to accept, but the fact that they are so supportive and loving means the world to me. TJ truly feels a part of the Ziminski Clan.

Even the Berkowitz side of the family is doing well. Although I shouldn’t really be surprised about that. My aunt Jackie and uncle Dick have always been supportive of me. They genuinely seem to only want me to be happy. My cousin Greg, after the initial shock, sounded happy about the baby – even commenting that he would have donated the baby-making materials had we asked. Another very special thing seems to have come from this baby. I’ve made contact with my youngest brother, Aaron.

I haven’t spoken to my father since January of 1988, which was also the last time I saw Aaron. He was just a little boy at the time. With TJ’s pregnancy, I’ve been thinking about family and what it means to be a family. I felt the need to find Aaron and let him know where I am and, hopefully, give us a chance to get to know each other. He was very receptive and I think our relationship will continue to grow. I would like him to be a part of my life – a brother and an uncle.

Life is, after all, nothing without the love of family.