Family

I was going to write this down yesterday, but it had gotten too late--I didn't want to start getting all emotional.

Yesterday was a great day. I woke up early after a good party at Vincent's parent's house. Vincent was one of my best friends in high school. He entered the active duty air force in March and this was his first time home since then. Another friend of ours, Chris, was home on a 4 day pass before he heads off to Afghanistan and I am, of course, getting ready to leave for Iraq. It was a good night of reminiscing, military talk, and fun.

I awoke at 0700 unable to fall back asleep, so I drove to my mom's house to get my backpack and eat something for breakfast and headed to my 'happy place' in Forsyth. When I got here, everyone was still asleep--I mean, duh it's a Saturday! I got my brother to answer the phone and let me in, and I went and crawled into bed with my sister. We talked for a little while, she was still pretty groggy, and went upstairs to cuddle with our mom mom. We all took showers and headed over to Grandma Sharron's & Grandpa Herb's to set up for my going away party. We got there and even on the drive over, I was thinking about my life. The different coincidences in life that led me to where I am today amaze me.

I am incredibly blessed to be accepted and welcomed into a family that is not my own. In the car on the way over, we were talking about random things--but the way we were all talking, felt normal. Nothing was forced, I felt like I belonged. I always do, but yesterday--for some reason--was special. I'm probably being way too sentimental, but who cares. We got there and started working together to set up the house. 4th of July decorations littered the front entryway, deck, and main part of the house. Ribs were boiling in Budweiser and college football was on tv. We took down spiderwebs, swept, and set out chairs, tables, and tableware. All work, but it didn't even seem like it. The thought that all of this was getting set up for me. Just me. A whole family gathered together to bid me adieu on my way to war. The fact that they care, that they want to do this for me--brought tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart.

Time and time again, I am shown that a family is not how much blood you share, but how much love you share. I have been apart of this family for 12 years now, which totally amazes me. I realize that it is a strange relationship, but it isn't weird for us.

I'll leave you with a few quotes:

Families are like fudge... mostly sweet with a few nuts.
--unknown

Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.
-- Brad Henry

Family is just accident.... They don't mean to get on your nerves. They don't even mean to be your family, they just are.
-- Marsha Norman

I think people that have a brother or sister don't realize how lucky they are. Sure, they fight a lot, but to know that there's always somebody there, somebody that's family.
-- Trey Parker

The family you come from isn't as important as the family you're going to have.
-- Ring Lardner