And family means "no one gets left behind or forgotten". We can't forget when little Lelo told us all how it is in Lelo & Stitch.

Lately I have been learning things about my family that makes me take that saying deeper. "No one gets left behind", as in no one is alone. A couple weeks ago my family suffered a sudden unexpected loss, one that many of us didn't (and sometimes couldn't) process. When I came home for the funeral, I felt the unity of my family in a new way. I felt the genuine care and love when I needed it most. Family needs to stick together in the bad, when life is really hard , because family gives a feeling of safety and support that can't be felt any other way. Your family (and anyone who comes close) knows you, and you are loved by them. Therefore you are not alone, not in community doing life.

"No one gets forgotten", meaning those that have passed away or those who we are still with us. Families grow up and each person makes their own life, but you are still family. It is important to make time for them, they are a part of who you are. Don't forget them in the everyday, when its easy to get "just too busy". Im thankful for the ongoing chat my siblings and I have, makes the long distance less obvious.

But why does all this even matter? Cause in the good, the bad, and the ugly, we need people. We want to know we are not alone and have people to whom we can say "I need help", or "I can't do this alone". We need people who will cheer for us in the good, when life is going great. Life is easier, lighter, when we don't feel ourselves carrying its weight by ourselves. I've found the load is lightened through my faith in God and those people who I can rely on to be there.

Community is a good thing, and a family is beautiful.