I was adopted at 5 weeks of age. My mom, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins (I think you get the point) none of them are genetically related to me but all of them are VERY much family to me. They are all I know. But the same is also true that there are people out there in this world, right down the street for all I know, that are my "family tree". Clearly if someone were to ask me who my family is, I'm going with the people who have loved, nourished, and cared for me all of my life, NOT the branches and leaves on the tree (if you know what I mean). I think that because of this experience, being adopted, it really causes me to view family, perhaps, through a different lens that other people who are born into their families. Please know that I LOVE my family with all of my heart and feel so BLESSED to have been placed in such a wonderful family. This is by NO MEANS against any of you. Ok, so back to my recent family thoughts...
In addition to my family I have be blessed with incredible, INCREDIBLE, friends who have been what I would consider family. It is these very people who have caused me to stop and think about what makes someone "family". See, I guess when it comes to people that you are "related" to things, like helping move or picking up things at the store is almost a responsibility, almost a "given". Not that there is a rule book of how to treat family members, but it just seems that there are some things that you do because it's just what you "do" for family. Are you following me? But when someone who isn't related to you and really has no "obligation" to care about your well being steps up and without being asked meets needs in your life...wow!
The past couple of years I have found myself surrounded by people who genuinely love me and my family. It is amazing to me how without asking these people are just there and so willing to give freely of their time and their resources. While living in Louisville, KY, I was blessed to work with wonderful people who really taught me what it means to give. I watched over and over as these people cooked dinner for each other, cleaned house, watched each others kids, passed down hand-me-downs, and raised money when there was a need. It really challenged me. I hope that I love people like this.
Ok, so what makes someone family? I don't really know that I know the answer to this question. But what I do know is this, I am VERY thankful for the people that God has placed in my life who aren't necessarily "related" to me but who are VERY MUCH my family. These are the people who are there when I need them, and especially when I don't think I need them and really do. The people who love me when I'm lovable and when I'm not so lovable. The people who have adopted my son as their next Grandson and my husband and I as their own kids. Now that I think of it, maybe I do know the answer to the question, "what makes someone family?".
Friends are the people that you know. Family are the people that you could never live without.
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