F.A.M.I.L.Y

I'm sitting here thinking about how much I value family and friends. God has blessed and surrounded me with some of the most amazing, powerful, gifted, giving, selfless and loving individuals around.

I say friends; however, in my heart, the expression I use is 'family'. My family is HUGE and I like it like that. There's never a dull moment, no words left unspoken . . . disagreements, yes! Strong wills, um, for sure. Let downs . . . certainly, but we are forever family. Life just cannot get any better! Laughter . . . I wish the world could experience what we have. Tears . . . they come and go, but laughter seems to navigate it's way on the backside of every tear. Debates . . . ahhh, I wish you could see me shaking my head right now, I won't say anything about the debates that take place amongst the 'family'. We graciously, and at times reluctantly, provide room for personal opinions . . . we are full of opinions! Expression is not an issue in my fam. That's okay with me, we are family and we love each other.

We love hard! We also love tenderly. I'm experiencing a new kind of love. I call it 'anotha motha' kind of love. I wish I had the ability to bring you into this 'anotha motha' kind of love-encounter. There simply are no words. A moment ago, I was shaking my head; right now I'm teary as I try to express this category of love. It is overwhelming, in every sense of the word. God-breathed. I am truly incapable of loving this way on my own. It has changed me and effected my perspective. I usually don't ‘do’ change well . . . this is a welcomed change.

Boy have I changed. Change is certain in life, isn't it? Although not always expected welcomed, or needed in our eyes. God, somehow, with his indescribable wisdom, makes it possible for change to propel us to new dimensions. Change, God-inspired change, fosters new life, healing, restoration and peace.

I find myself living life, with my family around, in a state of peace, security and a hope I've never known.

I'm forever thankful for my fam!