Family

This past week our whole little family was down with a nasty version of the cold/flu. We were all spiking fevers, coughing and generally just feeling horrible. After we had gotten the kids down for bed finally, trying to make them as comfortable as possible, someone knocked at our door. It was my sister and my brother, who had driven 2 hours and had come just to be here to help! They dropped all of their plans, all of their comforts and came just to lend a hand. It was an incredible relief! The next day, while I was still feeling like I had just stepped out of the boxing ring, they helped hold, comfort and entertain my sick babies. They stayed for two whole days and even took one morning to get the babies up and feed them!

That is true family! They are family who makes everyone feel important. When you need help, they never wait for you to ask, they generally just appear. These are my siblings. They are the ones I used to babysit, play with, change and comfort. I remember one particular time when my younger brother was terribly sick, how we went to great lengths to try to make him laugh and to bring a smile to his face. Now, years later, that same younger sibling shows up at my front door and is the one to bring me comfort! God is so good!

As I look at raising my own little family, I hope that I am able to raise children who will value their siblings. I know that not all siblings do, and mine have been one of the biggest blessings in my life. I hope I raise a family who appreciates one another's differences and cherishes the unique gifts of each person. I hope we embrace new members that come into the family with arms wide open and without judgement (Ahem!) I hope we support one another, even if we disagree with how things may be done. These have been some of the many gifts given from my girlhood home and I pray that I may pass them down to the next generation.


Thank you Mom and Dad for the gift of generous, loving and amazing siblings! :)