My Family is Incredible

That’s right; my family is Incredible. I look at the rag tag group of misfits called my family, and I think they are all pretty damn incredible. This is not directed at a person or group in my family, just the family in general. As a collective, we have a very diverse set of skills, emotions, and gifts we bring to the table. I should clarify, that I am referring to my immediately family of Kathy & the girls as well as my siblings, and mom. This is the group at the core of what I am reflecting on today.

There is a high degree of respect within that group. Everyone has a genuine respect for the others. Compassion is another admirable trait that comes to mind as a group trait. Add to this, a sincere and mindful interest in each other’s lives. These are great foundational traits to have as a family unit. They create a pillar of support. I have unknowingly leaned on that pillar a number of times. Most times, I did not even know that I was drawing from the pool of compassion. It is offered freely and is unconditional so it tends to slide into the background with quite confidence. The nice things about unconditional family virtues is that they are unassuming. They sit in the shadows standing ever vigilant in case they are needed. In times of strife, they quietly and quickly emerge to give support.

As individuals, there are a myriad of other qualities that emerge. These qualities tend to range high and set a bar for the others. In many ways, these wonderful people are mentors to me in so many aspects. Forgiveness, caring, generosity, intelligence, fairness, sense of adventure, confidence, facing fear, daring to “be”, professional, spiritual, non-judgemental, frugal, pragmatic, sense of humour, knowing when to be serious, knowing when not to be serious,  not taking ourselves too seriously, free spirited, focused, genuine, accepting, persevering, loving.

That is quite a list of qualities. When you think that there are nine people in my core family that I can look to for these values, it is quite amazing. That is not to say that we do not have moments of trouble or family drama. Those adversities are overcome by the aggregate values of our group. Problems are dealt with and the group maintains cohesion. That is quite admirabel in my books. I have to admit that I have drawn many life lessons from my core family. Every single person in this group has taught me something and given me the opportunity to learn something about my self. I cherish all of them.

Siblings - Peter / Phil / Dan / Matt / Charlie / Bonnie

Krystal / Kathy / Teri

~~ Mom ~~

To my family, I give thanks. The mentors of my life and the cornerstones in my foundation. I am deeply grateful and am honored to be part of the pack.

The family.  We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another’s desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together.  ~ Erma Bombeck