Family

A family is a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation.  If I feel in my hearts of hearts that someone is family, then no one has the right to say they aren’t.  All my life I have been introduced to “aunts,”  “uncles,” “cousins,” and tons of people on the side of the road that my parent’s have described as being related centuries ago.  Some of those people I’ve come to love for my own reasons based on our own relationship no matter how big or how small.  I know some wouldn’t consider them my family but I do and they are.  If I feel love for them and from them, they are my family. 

This weekend was spent with multi layers of family.  Friday evening CC and I attended the wake for my dear Auntie Anne who some would say wasn’t my aunt.  She was my dad’s aunt’s husband’s sister.  But not just that, my mom also knew her from the time she was 7 yrs old because they all lived in the same neighborhood.  See how confusing the actuality is?    You’d think we’d be so far removed that we wouldn’t know each other all that well but we did and we do.  I was one of the first people to walk into the wake and I was recognized instantly.  I even learned that my Auntie Anne just mentioned me three weeks ago.  She was one of those rare special people who made everyone around her feel special.  The type I hope to be one day! 

Then yesterday CC and I spent the day with our extended family.  It was my godson’s high school graduation and 18^th birthday party.  Definitely a day to celebrate and everyone came with their party hats on!  While I walked through the crowds and watched CC play with the other kids and toddle among the adults, I felt a wave of affection wash over me.  These are the people who will love her and watch her grow over the years.  We will spend holidays, birthdays, celebrations, and the teary eyed times together but they will love her for her just as they love me for me.  One of my goals in life is to surround CC with family of all types so she can feel the many layers of love!

Just as I was getting ready to post this, I happened across this quote on Pinterest and thought it was too fitting not to share!