Family

Family is a powerful word.

Saying it aloud, hearing the word, seeing the word – no matter the form, emotions of all kinds are immediately generated – no matter who you are.

There are two official definitions for family:

Merriam Webster’s Definition ~

1. a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household

2. all the descendants of a common ancestor

However, the actual definition of family is different for everyone.

Some have a warm, happy feeling fall over them.

Some have a dark cloak of fear envelope them.

Some grasp for a meaning of any kind.

Some create their own definition.

Family for me has evolved in ebbs and flows.

I am the youngest of six.

My family was large, at times loud, and often, frenetic.

My parents each came from large families.

My father was one of 10.

My mother was the eldest of 12.

Which means my extended family was even larger, louder, and more frenetic.

With these groups of people, I call family, come waves of emotions: good, bad, and ugly.

I have learned so much from all of these people and all of these emotions.

My immediate family includes myself, my husband, 4 sons, a daughter-in-law, a grandson, and now, a soon-to-be second daughter-in-law.

When I think family, I immediately feel warmth and happiness.

I have worked hard with my husband to cultivate a positive, safe, and loving environment.

It is not an easy task.

Yesterday was my parent’s anniversary.

They eloped in 1946.

They enjoyed over 50 years of marriage.

They worked hard to cultivate a positive, safe and loving environment.

My siblings and I were beyond blessed to grow up under their guidance.

I often think of the book The Giving Tree when I think of my family.

As a family, we give to each other in different ways.

We care for each other.

We cry with each other.

We encourage each other.

We make each other laugh.

We listen to each other.

We remind each other to focus on the important things.

We are each other’s safety net.

I lost my father almost 22 years ago.

I lost my mother almost 4 years ago.

Five years ago today, I lost one of my brothers.

Grief does not get easier.

You never “get over” the loss.

You learn to live with it.

You will never be the same.
You don't want to be the same.

I have learned so much from all of these people and all of these emotions.

More than anything, I have learned the deeper the love for God, the deeper the love for each other – in the good, the bad, and the ugly.

This month, my husband and I will celebrate 35 years of dating.

Later this year, we will celebrate 35 years of marriage.

I hope my children learn from our family.

I hope my children grow up feeling blessed by our guidance.

I hope my children have learned the importance of a deep love for God.

Family is a powerful word.
Family is incredible!

Chase after God!

~ Jan 💓