Family

Family

                 When I think of the meaning of family, I don’t just think of my blood relatives, but I also think of all my close friends who are my second, third, and so on family.  I come from a good size family from both my mom and dad’s side.  When I think about it, I am amazed on how close I am to my sister-in-laws family and my best friend’s family compared to my own blood family.

                When I was younger, I was really close to two of my girl cousins on my mom’s side who were the closest thing to having sisters.  And as we grew older, we would still hangout all the time.  But, now I don’t even talk to either of them.  It’s amazing how things can change and when your kids and teens growing up you think that you will always have that bond. 

                As I became an adult, I had a bond with one of my cousins from my dad’s side.  It was even to the point where her and her husband asked me and his best friend to baptize their son.  But, in time that came to an end.  I learned that even though they may be family by blood doesn’t necessarily mean they have the loyalty that family should have. 

                I have two best friends, one female and one male, who are my second family.  My female best friend who I have known my whole life is like a sister to me.  We are always there for each other no matter what.  She is everything that a best friend should be.  Her family considers me family just as I consider them my family.  My male best friend, who I have known for 18 years, is the one that gives me advice and tells me the truth, even if it means it will hurt my feelings.  But, I know that at the end he just wants the best for me and knows me better than my female best friend and even my family. 

                I have three nieces who I would do anything for.  Since I don’t have any kids, they are the closest thing to me having my own.  The plus is that I can take them place but get to give them back to their parents.  I do a lot with them and support them in all that they do.  They know that no matter what I am always here for them.   I enjoy all the quality I get to spend with them.  I hope that as they get older and become teens that I don’t lose that bond with them.   I have a nephew who I was somewhat close to when he was a kid.  But, now that he is an adult I hardly ever see him. 

                When my brother married my sister-in-law it joined our families.  I have great relationships with her family.  Her cousins became my cousins.  It is funny when we go out and when it comes to introducing each other we just say we are cousin and don’t get into the complication of explain how.  But, as people start to get to know us they kind of put together that we really aren’t blood cousins.  But, to use to be cousins you don’t need to be related by blood.  I am a lot closer to them than I am to my own blood cousins. 

                So as time passed and I grew older, I came to realize that just because you are blood relatives doesn’t make you family.  Family is made up of the people who are there for you no matter what and never leave your side.  Family can be blood relatives, people you gain through marriage, or close friends.  To all my FAMILY, thank you for everything and especially always being there for me no matter what.