I have always been a proud family member. From my earliest days, I looked forward to our many family adventures, celebrations, and routine times at home. My mom was always finding ways to update our little, green cape house to make it warm and welcoming, and the house was always filled with lots of energy and activity since two parents and six children lived there.
As life moved forward so did the lives of my parents and my siblings. My siblings attended a couple of high schools and several colleges and universities. They had many various jobs over time as well as many romances too. Several settled down with one partner and some with more than one over time. And, there were many children added to the family too, and now grandchildren and grand nieces and nephews.
Our family had many aunts, uncles, and 56 first cousins--most of whom are still living today. And, when I married, I became part of my husband's big family too. Then I had my own three sons, and now they are branching out too with loved ones and additional families. Family, for the most part, has always been a center of our lives, celebrations, adventures and activities.
For a long time I held a picture book image of who family is and what they should be, but now I am more open minded to the many directions family life can take and who you define as your family. Your family does not have to be blood relatives alone, but instead I embrace the concept of family as those who love and support you, and those you love and support too.
In the days ahead, I want to do what I can to be a loving family member. I want to leave projection, judgment and conjecture behind as I broaden my mind and open my embrace to the many, many ways a family can be.
We need each other in life, and to do what we can to nurture those relationships is a positive direction to go. Onward.