Family

Family is such an interesting concept to me.

Family SHOULD be that unbreakable, unbendable, undeniable bonding and cementing of trust, conviction, security, love, and support between members. Far too often, those ideals are compromised for ridiculous reasons and relationships are damaged, battered or lost. It truly is just sad.

I am currently witnessing several families who are being abused by selfishness and the need to foster a hierarchy of some sort - that really is nonexistent when children become adults. We must see them as adults and realize we no longer 'rule' over them, but instead, we just love them . . . and whoever comes along with them.

Or, perhaps, there is the family who cannot establish any sort of hierarchy and everyone just kind of wanders around and tries to grab at pieces of what might be right. Maybe the first did not do a stellar job, so they are going to ensure the second does, but cannot fathom how anyone should get there. It's just a mess and more like lemmings headed for the abyss.

Then we have the one whose parts seem to think they are better than the whole. They condemn the lot while living in a terribly thin-paned glass house. This never works out good for anyone. It is a crack in the family cornerstone that causes crumbling and the dismantling of precious foundation. Sad stuff.

But then . . .

There are those who have battled through extreme adversity and come out victorious. Those who have stared fear and death and sadness in the eyes and walk away with integrity, faith, and fulfillment. Those that kick the petty nonsense to the curb, instead of inviting into their house hold. Those that rise above the cycle of abuse and hurt and create a better, stronger, firmer foundation.

Which do you belong to?
I wrote, seriously, about several families that I am WAY too familiar with, but . . . in re-reading this . . . they could all be me! I think that's true of most of us.

But . . .

Which one do you want?
Family is what you make it! It is not based on blood, dna, or relatives.
It is based on love.

You are a part of my family. Thank you for that. You keep me positive and pointed in the right direction. Thank you.