Family - What does it mean to you?

A person who I have a great respect for always provides a definition when he speaks to a certain topic. So I thought I would follow that in this situation.

Below you will find Merriam-Webster's definition of the word family. The question I pose is what does family mean to you? To me it is a group of people of similar mind and spirit who support and unconditionally love you. Some believe that we choose our families before we are born to resolve prior karmic issues or simply because we liked the individuals. I am not sure if that is true or not.

I do know one thing for certain in my life that being a family member does not automatically entitle friendship. Friendship is something that develops over time and isn't forced; being of the same blood line entitles you to nothing but a leaf on the family tree of your family's lineage. I am proud of mine 100% Polish. Parents who were in WWII survived, met in England and were married over 50 years.

I was/am Blessed both my parents became my best friends albeit some things I got to learn as their friend was a little TMI(too much information). I wouldn't have had it any other way. We shared everything. My Mom had me when she was 40 and she died when I was 40. How lucky am I to have had her for so long; the same with my Dad who followed after her two years and two weeks to the day of her crossing over. So in my case I was fortunate not only to have family but friends as well. I have a sibling whom for the better portion of my life I had little to no use for. I thought that the person was my parents' favorite even when this person had no interaction with us. Due to divine situations and timing and confined spaces; this sibling has also become a friend. A friendship that I never expected, it just happened. The sibling has pulled me through some of my darkest times and I will be forever grateful for that.

I think of people that I know that are mistreated, abused and violated by their siblings, parents and other family members. Does this mean that the person should look past that and be involved with their family? I don't think so, for one's own sanity, the key is to forgive and it may require outside intervention such as a counselor or just internal processing. Once you have forgiven the person, it doesn't mean you have forgotten but it empowers you to continue on your path without looking back.

So as you read this just ponder about what family means to you? Who supports you without question(not to be confused with advice)? You may be surprised at what you come up with. Just remember there is no right or wrong with this question it is what works best and healthiest for you.

Try not to let family politics get in your way in what ever you do. Don't try to guess at people's motivations just stay true to yourself, doing right by yourself and by others. Keep exploring this wonderful journey we call life.

Until next time,
Halina


Main Entry: 1fam·i·ly
Pronunciation: \ˈfam-lē, ˈfa-mə-\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural fam·i·lies
Etymology: Middle English familie, from Latin familia household (including servants as well as kin of the householder), from famulus servant
Date: 15th century
1: a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head : household
2 a: a group of persons of common ancestry : clan b: a people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from a common stock : race
3 a: a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation : fellowship b: the staff of a high official (as the President)
4: a group of things related by common characteristics: as a: a closely related series of elements or chemical compounds b: a group of soils with similar chemical and physical properties (as texture, pH, and mineral content) that comprise a category ranking above the series and below the subgroup in soil classification c: a group of related languages descended from a single ancestral language
5 a: the basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children ; also : any of various social units differing from but regarded as equivalent to the traditional family b: spouse and children
6 a: a group of related plants or animals forming a category ranking above a genus and below an order and usually comprising several to many genera bin livestock breeding (1): the descendants or line of a particular individual especially of some outstanding female (2): an identifiable strain within a breed
7: a set of curves or surfaces whose equations differ only in parameters
8: a unit of a crime syndicate (as the Mafia) operating within a geographic area.

Courtesy of http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family