Family

 Family the very word itself can be tremendously powerful. They are people you can lean on for sound advice and trust what they tell you. They are dependable and be there for one another at a time of need. They should be happy and excited whenever they get the chance to spend time with one another. The truth is, family in most cases is just the opposite.

 I grew up the youngest of six children, three years age difference from me and my next oldest sibling. I myself never had the luxury of being close to any of my siblings although I longed for it greatly. Since there was the age difference I was always too young to hang out with them in their eyes therefore never really bonding with any of them.

  When I was in the sixth grade my mother and father were divorced. This led to even more separation. By this point my three oldest siblings had already moved away from home which left one brother and one of my sisters and I still at home. My brother and sister stayed with dad and I went with mom. This would turn out to be even more of a separation amongst my siblings and me.

After graduating from High School I married and went into the military. This was the beginning of even a longer separation from family. Although, I had a wonderful wife and three beautiful children I still longed for my parents and siblings and the closeness that they shared with one another. During part of my military career we were overseas twice once in Panama and the other in Germany. So the visit home became even less and so did the distance of our relationship.

Nevertheless, my family and I survived being in the military. Our soon to be family were other military families that were in the same boat as we were. Distant from their loved ones the bond with friends was even closer than being with family.

Years later we returned back around family but by that time so many years have passed and the closeness just wasn’t there. Overtime things had begun to change and we were becoming a family again. Why is it that when you don’t live in the same town you find that your still consider an outsider. Although, I have still have not given up on one day being part of a family who shows they care regardless of the miles between them.

Every year my wife and I have a family get together and invite everyone. In most cases at least half or a little more show up. We have a great time swimming, grilling out, and just visiting. We had about 50 show up this year and that’s only about half of them. I know when the day ends and I hear the sound of the garage door closing its like total silence, that is, until next year. Happy Holidays to everyone. Enjoy spending time with family and friends.