Family

Family… What is family, and what does it mean to any of us? Family can be viewed from any number of angles. I see family as my immediate loved ones. Close friends included. But I know the meaning goes much deeper than that. It not only encompasses those we are related to, and those we never seem to see or ever know, but it ultimately encompasses our very heritage. The heritage that will lead us across the great expanse of this earth, not just the waters that divide. It, also, encompasses great peoples of honor and success. And it holds true that there will be those less honorable caught within the confines or our family tree. All the same, we have to include them.

In short, family is where we come from. Family is those who will be there when no others will. The ones who will loves us when we’re in the depths of our greatest lows. They’ll be there to encourage us to strive to be better people for not the sake of others, but our very own sake. They'll be there applauding our successes. And family will even step back and let us figure it out for ourselves, when need be.

This brings to question, “What does a family tree have to do with anything?”. It means that we have a record of where we come from. That even though those before us succeeded and failed equally, we have a record of what works and what doesn’t work. No one succeeded without the support of family… It’s a record showing what the power of familial love possesses. We can find that in scripture. We didn’t get here alone… And we won’t leave here that way, either. At the end of the day, one thing holds true. Only one group of people ushers us into this world. And only one sees our departure. Family…

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

A lot of good questions raised by this story. A history of a family is good. I learn after my time in the military service I followed 6 generation of Soldiers. We can inherit bad temper, strength and weaknesses. I agree with your last lines. We are based off nearest family. People who set the tone for love and anger. Thank you for sharing interesting thoughts in the excellent story.
coyote