I’m guessing the title caught your attention? Before you freak out, this is not an actual mafia where we are considered ruthless criminals. It’s about one HUGE family. We just happen to call ourselves ‘The Mafia.’ One of the things I admire most about myself is my family. My family consists of over 60 people (and counting). My cousins aren’t cousins, they are my brothers and sisters. My aunts and uncles are my ongoing parents.
Growing up like this is a teenage girls nightmare. Not only did my boyfriends answer to my actual father. They also had to answer to my uncles and my older cousins. And most importantly, my grandparents (good luck). If they didn’t like you, you knew. And it was very unlikely that you came back. Oh, and if you are thinking about getting married, well that’s another undertaking. After you receive the parent's permission and blessing, you had to also receive it from the family. Once that is complete, not only do you walk away with a great sense of accomplishment you also receive your own special made stocking by my Nannie, (which is now done by my mother) that is exclusive to our family.
We do everything together. Every holiday, which really consist of more desserts than actual food, more games and pranks than conversation, but most of all togetherness and love that we all share. We are at every wedding, every graduation, every birthday party, every baby/wedding shower, vacation, etc. And if you’re not there, guess who’s blowing up your phone? A lot of my friends, consider my family their family. We don't mind, there's always room for one more! Our family is defined on love and loyalty. If you mess with one, you get us all. Yes, all 60+ of us.
We are not perfect and never claim to be. Even in this big family we have had tough times as a whole and with each of us individually. But no matter what, no matter how bad we all mess up, you can always count that we will be behind you every step of the way. Our Nannie and Poppy are responsible for that. One day our Poppy took a bus to a Five and Dime to take our Nannie on a date, and over their 66 years of marriage they taught each of us what true love, sacrifice and forgiveness is all about. They taught us the one thing you never do, is turn your back on your family. Because at the end of the day, that’s all you have. They are the ones that will never judge you and love you unconditionally. They will give you the shirt off their backs to take care of you. Don’t get me wrong, they get on your nerves, but I couldn’t imagine my life without them and this crazy, loud, obnoxious, hilarious, HUGE family of mine.
It’s true what they say, it takes a village. And I must say, I
have the best of them all.
