Growing up, I thought everyone had 25 first cousins and seven aunts and uncles. I thought that spending weekends at family dinners and having a different aunt or uncle pick me up from school when my mom was working late was commonplace. As I got older, I realized that no one else I knew spent nearly as much time with their extended family as I did. The best part of being in a big family was the craziness that ensued every time we got together, but also all the lessons you taught me.
Each one of you is different and has taught me so much about life. From the scholar, who fed my love of knowledge and helped make my dream of college come true, to the athlete, who taught me to play softball just like you did, and most importantly, the musician, who played piano for my audition pieces in high school to make sure they were perfect. To those who showed me how to change my oil, how to drive and parallel park and even how to cook using not just the microwave. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for not just being people I see on Christmas, but also active members of my life.
None of you are normal. You each have your little idiosyncrasies, but they add to your charm. I consider myself lucky to have grown up with you all around and co-parenting in a sense with my mom. It was like having a bunch of moms and dads to go to instead of just one. I know that I could go to any of you for whatever comes my way and I greatly appreciate having that luxury.
When things got tough, every one of you was there to make sure all of us were taken care of; when my mom was in treatments or working that extra night shift to pay tuition, one of you always there to support my brother and I. When father daughter dances were thrown in school, I always knew one of you would be there to take me instead of being the only fourth grader not to attend. Those were memories I carry with me, though at the time they may have been insignificant to you. As I have grown up and become an adult, too, our relationships may have evolved, but I still look to each one of you for love and the occasional helping hand. I have become someone you all rely on too, to watch your children, or call when you are having a rough day. I will never be too old to hug you or go out to dinner and drinks.
We have had a devastating last few months, but it is nothing we cannot handle. Together we are a strong family who, through love and communication, can weather any storm.
