There's no place like family

I’m on my way back from a wonderful two weeks with family. This is actually a pattern of mine. Every time I am about to embark on a big adventure in my life, I try to spend as much time with my family as possible. It is as if knowing where I came from anchors me in a way that allows me to fly off to new and crazy adventures. Knowing the love that surrounds me, created me, and raised me helps give me the courage to go out in to the world and share that love with others. 

Being with family is good. It means not putting up any fronts and allowing those around you to see you for you. It means no makeup, no playing nice just to play nice. It means feeling safe to step on some toes (and there’s something about sisters who always seem to know how to step on toes the best- and enjoy doing it!) and feeling comfortable to show your crankiness. It also means lots of down time, just being without needing to speak. No awkward silences (silence is a rare thing in my family anyway). It means lots of laughter and good tears. It means finding joy in a 2 year old discovering the world and his voice more and more every day. It means a million Auntie Em hugs and kisses (many times with my nephew grabbing my face while he plants one on me). Yes, being with family is good. 

I realize though, that I am blessed beyond all measure to have a family like this and not everyone can anchor themselves in their families. Some people would rather stay as far away from their shared DNA as possible (and for good reasons). I have learned in the past few years that this sense of family extends far beyond blood relations (Thank God!). Learning to redefine who and what constitute family means that I have been anchoring myself recently with all those who I also consider, in the deepest part of my being, family: 

Best friends and “surrogate parents” (along with the crazy and lovable uncle who comes to visit all the time) that open their home to you for three years, redefining the word grace and providing enough love, laughter, and memories that make me smile to store up for years to come.

COPC- a seemingly casual invite to go to dinner a year ago that has turned into a highlight of my life (in order to be in my family you have to love food!) and has brought new and amazing family members into my circle as well as deepened relationships that I wish had been this deep 3 years ago when I started seminary and had not just blossomed in my last year. But, with family you realize that you will take the love when and where you can, and distance proves no real threat to that deep font of love that family knows how to sustain.

A best friend who invites you in with her family to celebrate her fathers wedding (whole wedding weekend, actually) and beautiful new beginnings in life, proving that it is not foolish to continue to hope for love, and love abundant. 

Our office of Student Services and Community Life. Becoming like a little family that celebrates birthdays, life events, or even regular work days with balloons and streamers and flowers and abundant love. 

Loved ones who gather at birthday dinners, graduations, and send off celebrations, each one reminding me that even though I may not get to see them as often as I wish, they each represent a deep part of me, a changed part of me, that would look fundamentally different had they not walked into and become part of my life and my family. 

There may be no DNA shared here, but these people are family. No doubt about it. And I am oh so grateful for the family that God has given me.