Country singer, Kacey Musgraves, said it best when she said “Family is family in church or in prison. You get what you get, and you don’t get to pick them. They might smoke like chimneys, but give you their kidneys. Yeah, friends come in handy, but family is family.” She really hit the nail on the head with that one. However, I do have one tiny little problem with that statement, or more so a little something to add to it. And, that addition is that you can pick your family. Those people that you pick may not be blood, but they’re family nonetheless.
These people are what I like to call your second family, and, man, are they life savers. Don’t get me wrong, your God given family is fantastic, but these people are God given as well. I’m a firm believer that things, or people in this case, find you when you need them to find you. And when you find these people, do not ever in any circumstance let them go. Because, I can almost guarantee you that they’ll stick with you through the good, the bad, and the ugly until the bitter end.
You can never have too many people in your life that love you and want to see you succeed. These people that you gather together to make up your second family are the ones in your life who fill these roles in addition to your family that is blood. And it can be proven through them that water is actually just as thick. It takes truly special people to wholeheartedly love you even when they have no obligation to do so. That’s how you know you’ve found yourself amongst the best people to walk among this earth.
If I’ve learned anything from my family (Yes, I consider my “blood family” and “second family” to be one whole, gigantic hot mess), it’s that when all else fails they are truly the only people that you have. Friends come and go, but your families are forever. It’s a blessing to have someone else’s family become yours, and yours become theirs. It’s a blessing to gain another set of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters who love you just as much as those who share your DNA.
And, here’s a little secret: Biology is the least of what makes someone family. Family are those who celebrate your highs and get you through your lows. They’ll laugh with you and cry with you. They’ll fight with you (physically and verbally) to no limit, but will knock someone out if they try to hurt you. Family always has your back, but will put you in your place if you need it. They’ve seen you ugly cry and laugh until you can’t breathe all in one single day. They’ll tell you like it is, but always know just what to say when you need to hear it. Family is taking someone in as your own. They’ll try to fix what’s broken, and they’ll make you a better person even if you can’t see it yourself.
So, if you’re as lucky as I am, and you find these people at birth or a little later on in life: Stick with them. Stay with them. Love them. Appreciate them. Thank them.
Life isn’t so bad when you know you’re surrounded by those who love you, even if they make you want to scream and pull your hair out most days. After all, family is family.
