Family....

No one can stress the importance of family to me. To me, family is everything. Whether you believe it or not, when it comes right down to it, your family will always be there for you no matter what. Even if you have had a lot of differences between you, when it counts the most, your family is there for you, loving you unconditionally with no questions asked. Throughout my life, I have seen and experienced a lot of people that have been estranged from their parents, or siblings and yes, even their own children. For the life of me, I cannot understand how someone can go through their day...month...year without their family in their life. Who knows you better than your own family? Has been with you through thick and thin, and have seen you suffer the worst times of your life? These are also the people that have never left you, even though you may have left them, maybe even for just a moment. I thank God every day for the family that I have been blessed with, and for the awesome children who I am very proud to call my own. They make me proud to say, "these are my kids". They possess the same sense of family values that I have. I am very close to my kids and I miss them so much. When I am with them, we laugh (a lot), share our thoughts and dreams and support each other through everything. We always end each visit with tight hugs and "i love you"s. and yes, I have to admit, there are sometimes tears. I truely would be lost without them and I can't imagine them not being a part of my life. No matter what the reason is, why people are distant from their kids, would you really want to miss out on this kind of love in your life? Not me, not a chance. 

Having a great family, I somehow always want to "fix" other people's families so that they have a family as awesome as mine. I know that sounds kind of stupid but sometimes I just want to give their heads a shake and tell them what they are missing out on, all the experiences that go on in every day life, Life is too short to dwell on family issues that have gone on for years and grudges that are held for something that you can't even remember. I bet it all sounds pretty petty now doesn't it? All the time being wasted being angry at someone when you could have been sharing life's best moments. If only you had learned to forgive and forget, to move on and keep the family bond intact. You have to learn to let go of stuff and look at the good things that you have in that family. Think of all the good times that were had, not focus on the one thing that has split you apart. Because in the end, it will be your family that will be by your side, the ones you can count on and the ones that will always love you no matter what. Don't forget too, how much you will regret it, if you don't make things right. One of these days, they may not be there when you are ready to forgive, or when you finally decide to make time for them in your busy life. Life really is too short, make the most of it, and don't forget about your family. My best memories are always of my family..make them yours too :)

I would also like to point out that I am not just talking about my family, but also Darren's family that treat me like their own daughter. I feel like I belong to this family, that I matter to them and if I was no longer here, they would feel a sense of loss. They have taken me in the family and treated me the same as their own kids. They love and respect me, as I do them. I am there for them as I know they are there for me. It feels great being a part of another awesome family. It's like striking gold twice. I truely am lucky.

So, as I have been thinking a lot about my family, I have decided it's time to start a family tree. I would like to know my family roots, beyond my imediate family members. I think it would give me a better sense of who I am, where I come from and maybe it will even tell me why I am such a knucklehead, a goof and overall awesome person! lol I can't take all the credit :)