Family

What on earth would I do without my family? They have stuck by me through thick and thin. They have been there for the good, the bad, and the extremely ugly. They love me unconditionally. They are my life boat in this sea of chaos. They are truly my rock.

God first, family second. This is the way it should be. This is the way it is for me. My mother has always said, "husbands and wives come and go, but family is forever." It took some time for me to believe her on this one but after two divorces, I know she's right. This is one of the things about family that help create that unbreakable bond. Family doesn't file for divorce. Family doesn't sue for child support. Family doesn't quit each other. Although the "vows" are never formally spoken as in a marriage, family upholds those "vows" better than any husband or wife.

Another thing I find interesting about the family is their defensiveness for one another. We talk about each other within the family and always will. But, I dare an outsider to talk about one of us. That's right, I can bitch and gripe about my mother or cousin or uncle, but you had better not say the first word against them. If you do, then you'll bear the brunt of the entire family against you. It's true, there is power in numbers.

I'm lucky to belong to such a strong and loving family unit. The "family" life is becoming less and less common in our fast paced American lifestyle. It's sad because as a result, children who grow up without the emotional stability of a family do not usually develop strong morals and values. I thank God that my son has already developed a strong attachment to his grandparents and great grandparents. He will grow up knowing what it means to belong to a family.