Family: It's What Its All About

Saturday morning the Hubby and I got up at 5:30 to get ready for my yard sale.  We were exhausted by noon when it was over, but it was a success.  We raised over $200 for the Walk to End Alzheimer's.  Our day was still not over.  We still have to drive an hour and half to Baton Rouge for a mini family reunion.

 These are the "cousins."  We basically grew up together.  A few are missing from this picture.  The stories that this group could tell:  you would laugh, cry, wonder how we survived (some of us into our 40's), and understand all the gray hair in our parents' heads.  However, we grew apart.  One said it best last night, " We live basically right down the road from each from other and have only seen each other once in two years."   This reunion happened because one of us drove from Wisconsin to Louisiana to see the rest of us.  The whole family has not been together in over 30 years.  How do we get so busy that we can't make time for the most important people in the world?  We make time for all the nonessential, nonsense in our lives, but we can't take one weekend to drive 3 hours to see those who helped us to become who we are today?

I must admit that I was both looking forward to this reunion and dreading it at the same time.  In my mind's eye, this group was still teenagers and younger.  None of us had gone through the trials and tribulations of adulthood.  All of us had changed, and I wasn't sure if I would like who I would met.  Most of this group was in marriage number two, so there was spouses to contend with too.  What if none of us had anything in common anymore?  But there was one very important reason to make sure this reunion happened.

Meet the "second generation cousins."  Many of these 2nd cousins had never met each other.  These cousins should have the opportunity to create their own stories that they can sit around many years later laughing about.  They should grow up making mistakes together while trying to find their own way in this crazy world like their parents did.  These cousins should know that no matter what their family has their backs and will be there to help them in all situations.  These cousins should realize that they will never be alone a moment in their lives because they are part of a family.

I had forgotten all of this throughout these many years as I was busy making my life my own.  I thought that I was all my own son needed.  I was so badly wrong.  He needs this group of people in his life.  He needs both the first generation cousins and the second.  Just like I need the cousins and the parents of the cousins.  I realized that the chaos of family is a blessing never to be taken lightly.

One of my aunts said it best, "Momma and Daddy would be proud of our family."  This was said as children were splashing around and the cousins were carrying various conversations to catch up on 30 years as the parents looked on proudly.

Biological family isn't the only kind of family that is important.  As I said goodbye to my sister and her family, I was missing my faith family.  I rarely miss a chance to worship with my faith family because I feel so connected to my small church.  I really enjoy coming together with that group of people.  I do consider them family.  I also have a work family.  Not everyone I work with do I consider family, but there are several that I do consider part of a work family.  I enjoy the friendship that we share and fact I know I can count on several of my coworkers if needed in times of hardship.  I am truly blessed in terms of family.