Family Is...

Soundtrack for this post: Reba McEntire's "I'll Be"

Family has morphed for me within these five months. I grew up in Michigan. I'd say 95% of my family lives within a 2 hour radius of each other. We are constantly in contact -a family gathering at least every month. I have quite a large family. I've definitely taken all of this for granted. I've always loved my family but everything has intensified.

I've started having the urge to look at pictures all the time. I've posted all the photos I brought and people have sent to my walls. I truly treasure the book of pictures my sister made for me before I left. I keep a recent picture of my nephew on my desktop at all times.

My sister picked out the bridesmaid dresses for her wedding next summer. I will fly in a few days before the wedding, get my dress altered and be privileged to stand up in her bridal party. Apparently wedding planning can include cross continental family members. I'm crossing my fingers that everything goes seamlessly.

My grandpa joined Facebook. Electronic networking knows no age bracket, and I'm glad.

I have strangely had better contact with my family members than when I lived in the same state as them.

Family is really just a group of people that you were randomly placed with to go through this journey called life. You might not be similar. You might not get along at all. You may do horrible things to one another. You may find the greatest source of forgiveness, patience and compassion within these individuals. It may be the family you were born with, or one you have created amongst you.

My most recent lesson in life: Perhaps only once you have followed your own dreams, can you fully accept the support and unconditional love that was always there in the first place.