Random 'Family' Thoughts

Family - defined many ways.
1- a basic social unit consisting of parents and children
2- any group of persons closely related by blood
3- all those considered descendants of a biologically related ancestor

The list goes on; but every one's view of family differs no matter how similar in meaning the dictionary determines.

What the dictionary does not provide detail on, is the FAMILY that just doesn't exist. Let me elaborate the ideal family, in my eyes only exists in fairy tales.  Father, Mother, Sister(s), Brother(s), doting grandparents, aunts and uncles. Minor arguments between Mother & Father, nothing earth shattering. You have the dog, cat, picket fence, 2 cars or perhaps the mini van for the soccer mom, parents that show for all of their children's extra-curricular events, children graduate from high school go off to college and come home on their breaks to two parents still in love with each other and their childhood home is still serene. 

Ah ha!! Let's get to the real deal. You have the 'Soul Food' family wherein family sleeps with another family members husband. Some of the family is quite affluent or they manage their money well while other members constantly have their hands out. Or you have the Osborne's, Whitney Houston/Bobby Browns, Lindsey Lohans & Brittney Spears of the world...I shouldn't have to elaborate any further with those examples.  Then we have the Family that Preys & Prays. Lets not forget the family that alienates. I guess in the dictionary whether it's Merriam Webster or Dictionary.Com, the definition for these examples would be DYSFUNCTIONAL.

I think the family that Alienates does just as much damage as the drug addictions & infidelity if not more.  When you start off in life experiencing family one way, adoring them and not wanting to trade your once known knowledge of family for anything in the world to always wondering 'Why?' you question yourself. Things like 'Why am I the last to know?' or 'What did I do to them to deserve this type of treatment?' or 'How come they no longer love me?'

It's a given that we all have a purpose.  God gives and takes away. However it is sometimes difficult to comprehend that he removes people from our lives in order for us to grow.  We need to nurture our seed and reap the benefits of new growth.