Family is what it's all about...

I have been thinking about family a lot lately. I am a daughter, a grand-daughter, a sister, a mom, a wife, an aunt, a mother in law, a doggie grandma, a daughter in law, a sister in law, and a friend. What do you consider family? When I think of family, I think of my own family, and then I think of those who surround me that I consider family. I feel blessed to have a family, and friends who I consider family, and then it goes beyond that. I have a family including in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, and second cousins, I have a lot of friends I consider family, a ward family, a neighborhood family,and a work family. 

In my own family I have so many that I want to be exactly like. I admire and love them. Aunts that are so inspirational and loving. Grandparents that loved me and taught me so much. Cousins that are as close as a brother or sister. Some are still here and some are watching from heaven. I love that I have guardian angels guiding and protecting me. 

All families have issues, and all families struggle. All families argue. The important part is it doesn't matter how long you go without talking, they are always there. I am so blessed. I am lucky to know that if I called any of my family they would help me. I have friends that I consider family. I think about them often, and I get super excited to see them. I love my ward family. So many amazing examples that have helped me along the path. 

There's lots of information about families on the web. If you type in Family, it brings up titles of shows, links to offer help, and it talks about how we are all here to help each other. I love how Bronson is born in the middle of two sisters. His whole life has been about helping his sisters. When the kids were little we would go shopping and it would stress out Bronson to think that something would happen to one of them, or that I would leave them there. We always teased him about being Nemo's dad, because he would always worry. He has grown up to be such an amazing husband, and now has a bigger family.

Your circumstances allow you to reach out to others and to become better. If you need a friend, be one. Everyone needs a friend. Some are lucky enough to call a sibling a friend and some are lucky to call a friend a sibling. Reach out to others. Be the friend you always wanted to have.  We are all in this together to help each other along the path. I love this song and video from Fast and Furious 7. The part when they sing "How can we not talk about family, when family's all that we got," and when they say "It's been a long day without you my friend, and I'll tell you all about it when I see you again." are my favorite. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful to know that I will see my family and friends who have past on. I am thankful for my imperfect family and friends.