My family is a mess. I'll be one of the first to admit it.

We fight.

We exchange harsh words.

Sometimes, we can't stand each other.

However, I wouldn't trade this mess for the world.

My family is huge. My mom has five brothers and sisters and my dad has four. Almost every one of my aunts and uncles has children, giving me a plethora of loving cousins. We have great-aunts, great-uncles, and second and third cousins that I consider direct family. I honestly cannot imagine my life without each and every one of them, even though some days, they drive me crazy.

After a year of losing a lot of the people in my family that mean the world to me, I have been approached with the idea countless times that I need to embrace every member of my family with more love than I ever imagined. Family is all you are guaranteed to have, and one day, they may be gone.

Recently, my grandmother was asked, “If there was one thing you would want your family and friends to remember, what would it be?” She replied that she would want them to remember to always love your family. You only get one family and need to appreciate them while they are here. I hope to always remember this statement. Although I didn’t hear her say it myself, I know that it’s something she would’ve said and wanted me to remember. This seems like such a small thing, but so important.

Yes, your family can drive you crazy. In fact, if your family doesn’t drive you crazy at some point, is it really a family? Embrace the blonde ones, the members who are dramatic, the ones who squeeze the life out of you, the ones who need a pick-me-up, the ones that you want to hit in the head at times. Love them with everything you have; it should be one constant in your life. Always remember, you only have one family and each person deserves all your love. Never lose touch.