Thicker Than Blood

I love my family. It's not traditional. Everyone isn't related by blood. But as they say, "We're thicker than blood." Family is important to me. More important than I used to care to admit because it made holidays and celebrations hard with the absence of my mom.
​
This year my heart was warm. I woke around noon to the sound of my roommates voice, snickered as I listened to calls with relatives (thin walls), and realized I had no coconut milk for my sweet potatoes!! I rushed to call my God-brother and the day was set into motion. It was filled with good food, laughter, and nice walks down memory lane.

Needless to say I got the coconut milk. Then spent the day not at all how I planned it. I planned to be in bed with my Sims game until I got up to cook, but my second God-brother came into town. (A good excuse to get up I think) We ended up at house #1 where Momma scolded me for not visiting more (with the biggest smile) and gave me a good hug. Then to house #2 where Mama made a feast and played games with us. Our families. Our (feels all of the things) But it was more than feelings. It was ordained. I could clearly see the imprint God had put on all of our lives. From the streets we prayed in as teens to being three (technically there is four of us) on fire kids of Christ to being adults who are steadily fulfilling our purpose to paths we were called to long ago. It's nice. Being with my family.

After experiencing years of grief and heartbreak I take the little things serious. The well wishes that seem so trivial can make someones holiday even if it's a mass text. Most times I know that little extra can mean all the more so I tag a personal touch sometimes. It's so easy to be swept into holiday depression. To feel over it. After all, people should care all year right? But this year I took note that where my blood family failed or were absent, God gave me two fold. It's taken awhile for me to get past the sadness and honestly I haven't made it past Christmas yet, but for now I'm looking beyond how I feel. The facts are this Thanksgiving was gooood.

It makes me really look forward to spending Christmas in TN with my blood relatives. (Praying and knowing it'll all work out this year) Once again I find myself #Grateful and thankful this year. 

---