What is Family? #76

Family, when that word comes to mind we think mother, father, brothers, sisters, grandmas, grandpas, etc. However, sometimes a family can consist of people you are not even related to. They are people who love you, care for you, and inspire you. My family is not of the normal sorts. Now, I have a mom, a dad, and two sisters. However, my mom, dad, and one of my sisters live in separate states. My family is my sister, her kids, my best friend, her mom, and her brother. These are people I would do anything for and vise versa. They have all taught me life lessons and shown me things I would have never known. We talk on the phone everyday and spend a lot of time together. My best friend and my sister are the two people I share everything in my world. I talk to my friend’s mom everyday. I call her my adopted mom. She really helped raise me. She teaches me new things and listens to me when I have something to say. As for the kids and my friend’s brother, they just make my life fun and interesting. We do everything from playing games to talking. This is my family. Growing up I did not have a dad around so my friend’s dad took me in. He was just like the real thing. He would discipline me, lecture, and talk to me about life. These are the people I share my hopes, wishes, and dreams. This is my family.

Never Forgotten #26

One of my most powerful memories is about my grandpa. It is one that is bitter sweet. Growing up and to this day he is my inspiration. My grandpa died 10 years ago. It is something I have yet to deal with completely. I remember the day we found out he had cancer. It was the worst feeling I have ever felt at that point in my life. I felt my whole life was being torn into pieces and I was powerless. During those months we were in and out of the hospital, sleeping on hospital floors, in waiting rooms, and hospitality houses. We would go to school and go right back. No matter how sick he was he always had some sort of lesson he had to teach someone. I remember walking into the ICU when he was admitted and holding his hand telling him I loved him and everything was going to be ok. I told him he didn’t have to suffer anymore. Even though the doctor said he was brain dead and did not know that we were there I knew different. When I would talk his eyes would open and he would squeeze my hand. The day he died my grandma had sent my sister and I to get something to eat. I remember feeling like my insides were being torn out like something bad had happened. I did not know that he had past at that point. When we arrived back at the hospital everyone was crying. I knew with no words that I had lost my hero. When we walked into the ICU room where he was it was the most horrifying sight. I had been to funerals and seen dead people, but never like this. It was unreal. I closed my eyes thinking that when I opened them the bad dream would end. Ten years later that image and time in my life is just and strong as it was then.