The Value of Family

My parents and I, Fall 2012

Tonight I had a long talk on the phone with my mama. Sighs...oh how I miss that lady.

A week or two ago, I had a nice phone conversation with my dad as well - which is slightly unusual since neither of us are very good at chatting on the phone. I miss him too.

And a few weeks ago, we took a few days off and helped my sweet husband's parents move into a new house. I've always gotten along with them, but it was my first chance to really spend time with them and we bonded in a new and wonderful way. And I miss them too.

Hubby with his parents, Spring 2014

And of course, there's my hubby's brother and sister and their spouses and children. Years ago, when I used to pray for my future husband, I wished for a man with a close-knit family. Having no siblings of my own, getting a ready-made family in my in-laws, nieces, and nephews, is an incredible blessing. I miss them too.

And then there's the people that I consider family that aren't actually related. People like my "sisters," Krystle and Kaitlyn; like my "grandfather," Phil; like my "nieces" and "nephew" in California; and like several other people that are dear to my heart. Of course, none of them are close enough to see regularly, and so I miss each and every one.

Someone once said, "Family is not always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs, the ones who accept you for who you are."

Someday we might live closer to some of our family members, but there will always be people that we love who are not nearby. There will always be pieces of our hearts in other places. It can't be helped. But we can't let that stop us from meeting and loving new people and making friends and "family" in new places.

Nor can we let it stop us from being the kind of people that love and accept others in the way that family should. After all, we all share the same Heavenly Father, which makes us all family! Everyone we meet can be a brother or sister, a friend and neighbor, a fellow sinner in need of saving grace. Let's be the kind of family to each other that makes our Heavenly Father proud.

Welcome to the family!