Definition of family from the Merriam Webster online dictionary>>>>>
"family - noun - fam-i-ly
- a group of people who are related to each other"
If you scroll further down the list on the page for a more full definition of "family", I prefer this definition right here:
- a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation
I prefer the second definition because I believe sometimes you make your own family.
Life over the past few weeks has definitely thrown me some curveballs. And the adjustments will continue for the next two to three months as Wade and I plan our move to Austin and get settled into our new home together.
There have still been a fair share of sad days since my father passed away on March 10, but also some really great days thrown in there. One of the biggest lessons I have learned over time as I have had close relatives pass away along with some family drama that I wish could have been avoided or at least lead to some different outcomes is that those who you consider your family is entirely up to you.
There have still been a fair share of sad days since my father passed away on March 10, but also some really great days thrown in there. One of the biggest lessons I have learned over time as I have had close relatives pass away along with some family drama that I wish could have been avoided or at least lead to some different outcomes is that those who you consider your family is entirely up to you.
I have many more best friends and close buddies I have made over the years that I consider more my family than my actual blood relatives. This used to make me depressed. I used to compare my life to others. I'm an only child and I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to grow up with a few brothers and sisters. I wonder what it would be like to have those giant family Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners I see on movies and even get to see recounted through fellow bloggers' lives on their blog articles.
I don't do the comparison game anymore. I stopped comparing my own body weight, shape, and size to other women about three years ago when I started to let go of my obsessive eating habits and overexercising. I think the idea of comparing my family life to others stopped somewhere around the same time.
Why do the comparison game and fill my head full of "what if's?" when I have so many close people in my life that mean the world to me and I am so fortunate to have as my family--whether they are blood-related or not?
Though I've recently lost my father, I was reminded about these special people in my life I will always consider my nearest and dearest.
Though I've recently lost my father, I was reminded about these special people in my life I will always consider my nearest and dearest.
This whole moving thing is a HUGE change for me. As Wade and I are making our move to a whole new state, as I move away from my hometown for the first time in my life, I know I've got my family to depend on. Even if most of them will now be hundreds of miles away, I know we'll find time to see each other when we can and keep in touch.
I'm a huge proponent of snail mail, so that might become a more regular routine for me in the near future--sending random greeting cards and occasional small packages to my family that will now be miles away. Also, if you ever want to make my day? Send me some snail mail. A card. A little treat. Anything. I'll love you for life.
Speaking of loving someone for life, this handsome gentleman and I had our engagement pictures this past weekend. I cannot WAIT to see how they came out.
Speaking of loving someone for life, this handsome gentleman and I had our engagement pictures this past weekend. I cannot WAIT to see how they came out.
So, yeah, those are some of the special people in my life. The ones I consider my family. There are a few others, I just realized I do not have any good pictures with them. Sometimes you get too caught up in the moment and forget to take pictures when you're enjoying life with others.
Oh, and one more family member recently added to the mix? Meet Aries. My mother and I adopted him from the shelter and he will live with her and our other cat, Patch, when I depart for Texas.
Oh, and one more family member recently added to the mix? Meet Aries. My mother and I adopted him from the shelter and he will live with her and our other cat, Patch, when I depart for Texas.
He's three years old, has smoky gray hair, light green eyes, and enjoys sleeping on high places like on top of the fridge as well as situating himself on your lap or stomach, even if you're trying to type on your laptop or read a book.
I'll miss this little guy, he's already formed a special place in my heart. I think I know why I fell in love with him at the shelter; he CANNOT stay out of the kitchen, repeatedly tries to jump on counters to take a nibble at any and every bit of food we might leave out, and he drools slightly sometimes when he's sleeping. Did you know a cat can drool while they sleep? Well, now you do.
I'm happy, fortunate, and very blessed with the family I have. Even if they have four paws, too.
I'm happy, fortunate, and very blessed with the family I have. Even if they have four paws, too.
Did you grow up with a large family or a small family?
Do you consider your pets your family as well?
Do you consider your pets your family as well?
