Who needs relatives? sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews.... I DO! YOU DO! We all need these people that share our blood, our heritage, and hopefully our sense of being family--even if sometimes they are a bit annoying in their desire to contribute to our future--make it better or even us better.
They can be our biggest fan and can offer comfort, support, and constructive criticism in the name of caring.
Do you have one or more of those people in your family or in your face ( if need be ) ? I hope you do.
When I was little, I was the big sister to 2 sisters and a brother. What fun we had playing in the backyard or giggling in bed at night. Sometimes my life seemed crowded with them all around, but I was truly never alone. And since I am now an adult alone in a big ole house, it is comforting to know that I have siblings to drop in for a talk or a sandwich or even an overnight slumber party. Knowing that gives me a reason to try and keep the house cleaned up but homey. You know it would be easy to get lazy and messy as a single person.
I am a loner by nature..like quietness and my space, but sometimes this loner want words, voices, a listening ear, or a helping hand. Technology is my friend when that happens. My sisters or brother are just a text message or Facebook comment away. Who would have thought it?? And pictures ARE worth a thousand words. I can show my sisters how Mom's violets are still flourishing even under my care. My brother can send me a picture of his 1st granddaughter, and I get to share in his pride and blessing.
My nieces and nephews graciously keep me updated on their adventures and activities via emails and phones. You see it was instilled in us as babies by our momma .. family is important, necessary, and sometimes our salvation.
As I became an adult I realized that I was still carrying some feelings of inadequacy with me from childhood. Because of this I did not always feel competent or even comfortable as a parent. This is where nieces and nephews gave me a great boost in dealing with those insecurities. I know part of their attraction to me was because I was NOT their parent, but I felt good anyway! : ) I offered my niece gum, and she took her first step. I let me nieces walk to the country store with my kids unattended, and I was the hero. I shared my umbrella and love for the rain with one niece, and I got a precious friendship. How cool is that?
Nephews are different. I just had to believe in their independence, and they thought I was 'awesome' or in my case 'crazy'. ( I like that description just fine ).
Now comes the hard part. These relatives and I are ALL adults now. Beyond companionship, they at times become my compass, confidantes, or my mirror. Mirror, Mirror on the wall. They see ALL and compliments are not always what I hear. But it is the truth, and sometimes it hurts.
These people, my relatives, have been there with me through my ages and stages and see me with wise eyes and caring hearts. So listen I must if I am to grow and hope to be that better person that I want them to know.
I believe God created relatives as His ambassadors of love, strength, and wisdom. I for one need my relatives in my life because I am not done yet. And I want them there cheering me to the finish line.
Some body give me a R-E-L-A-T-I-V-E... God bless us all!!
