Family is Important

Family is important

I have lived in the Bay area since 2001. We moved up here because my father got a job up here.  Now my extended family is very close, we would see each other every holiday, and every birthday sometimes more. My Cousins and I grew up together. When My immediate family moved, we rebuilt our connections, and big parties went down to small parties and holidays were now spent at zoos or aquariums or parks. Heading out and observing the world. 

We still traveled down to southern California as often as we could, but with jobs and things such as that made it hard to drive down, and flying was expensive. Typically we were able to go down a couple of times a year. And Usually, we could rekindle relationships and love again. 

On Saturday, one of my cousins who recently moved to Northern California was able to hang out with us, and it was a little surreal for me to be able to see family without having to plan a trip. My cousin and I realized that this was the first time we can hang out without our siblings. 

I am excited to rebuild a relationship with my cousin. As I reflect on family, I am reminded that God has provided many types of family.

Having a younger sister with special needs, I wouldn’t change Sis for the world. However, there are things that I missed, talking about things, sharing secrets that sisters share. There have been times that I mourned the loss of that relationship, but then I realized that God provided me with Godly women who are kin to sisters. I call them sisters of the heart. These women who challenge me and cry with me and love me regardlessly. 

My immediate family moved back to Southern California in 2014, and during those moments of missing my family, God provided older women who stepped in and hugged me very tightly like my mother’s hugs. God provided the brothers to laugh with. He also offered fathers to offer advice and encourage. Even though my family lived so far away and during times of crisis God provided. 

Family is much more than blood. It can be like-minded people. Who believe in God and people who just love. Family is what you are given but also who you choose. 

1 Timothy 4:10 

10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle,[a] for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.