I've discovered family is one of those words. It has many different meanings. My version is this.
Family is always there. Family supports one another. Family loves each other. Family stands together. Family laughs and cries together. Family comes together for events, birthdays, celebrations, holidays. Family is well, family.
Merriam-Webster Version: Family - a group of people who are related to each other.
I've learned, over the last 13 years, that family does not mean the same thing for everyone. My version apparently doesn't include being related. I thought it did. After the last year, with all the ups and downs, it makes me sad to realize that being related isn't a guaranteed part of being a family.
It made me wonder, what is family? Then I wrote out what family means to me and yep, I never wrote being related. Why?
Well the answer is simple. Some of my family is related and some of those I'm related to aren't family at all. What a heartbreaking discovery, but a life lesson nonetheless. And one that really has struck me to the core.
You see, whether I like someone or not, if they're related to me, I've always considered them my family. No matter the distance, no matter how well I know them, I've considered them my family. Maybe I shouldn't have ever done that, but it's the way I was raised and it's what I did. I've learned that these family members don't feel the same way, and that's ok. Now I know, and I'll guard my heart accordingly.
As we head into the Christmas Season, there will be lots of family gatherings. My only advice to anyone is this: love you're family, related or not. And if that same love isn't returned, it's their loss. No point in crying over someone who doesn't care about you in the first place. But for those who I consider my family, I love you and can't wait to spend the holidays with you.
*there are many of those who are family who aren't included in this collage,
I couldn't include them all*
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