Until tonight, I just THOUGHT that my family was dysfunctional!

Well, I guess this realization has been coming on, BUT…

My family web is very similar to my mental web.

Holidays, birthdays, and really any other function were a collection of people.

These were all people who weren’t perfect, but they were family. ♡

I grew up knowing my dad’s first baby momma and her daughter from another man. I spent weekends at my momma’s baby daddy’s sister’s house.

The logistics are confusing, but the love wasn’t!!!

Just because a family looks right to the world doesn’t mean they are right.

My life has been entangled in multiple situations of my own choosing.

I have been questioned and looked down on because of my family complexity. I have been told how strange it all was. I have been on the outside of judgment.

The epiphany tonight was:

I’m thankful for acceptance!!

My momma had a beautiful heart. My dad could be a dick!!

Somehow, they both taught me that family doesn’t always share the same blood.

Family isn’t expecting perfection, placing blame, or making excuses.

Family is who consistently shows up!!!

Tonight, I’m thankful that I finally understand what love is.

Love is a 3 a.m. phone call.

Love is, “I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”

Love is a hospital stay.

Love is, “Call me when you get home.”

LOVE IS NOT:

Protecting someone’s feelings when they are wrong.

Shrinking yourself to fit a mold.

Abandoning someone because they aren’t perfect in your eyes.

Maybe my family was different, but maybe different actually showed me the true meaning of unconditional love.

Maybe different is beautiful when you stop measuring against someone else’s “normal. “

Love is : building a bigger table!!