Washington State 2024 - Family Matters

 The next couple of days were a feast of food, drink and family. Besides my brother and sister in law, whose home we stayed in, there was also my niece, her husband and a 17 month old grand nephew, who, after some exposure, warmed up to my husband and me. They live about a mile from one another. Over time my siblings and I, due to employment, aspirations and life in general, scattered ourselves across the country. One result of this is that, outside of short, day long visits, I wasn't able to experience my niece and nephews as they grew up. We had to discover one another as adults. However, in a conversation with my niece the day before Thanksgiving She said that in spite of the years long absence it still felt like family. Our last visit was for her wedding ceremony 2 years prior. At that time I was suffering from a severe medical issue and extreme pain. I was not at my best.

Sometimes we create families, those friends with whom we form bonds that become as strong as blood. Sometimes we have families of shared histories and genetics. But, however they are derived, family always matters.