family

One of my nephews has been a hero and a role model to me for several years. He has overcome some of the most difficult challenges ever, and has reclaimed the productive, generous, loving and honest person he is. When I thanked him for a kindness he showed me, he responded by saying, "that's what family is for." I find it simply amazing that he has such a strong sense of that simple truth, and yet it shouldn't surprise me...it seems to me that I remember his dad telling me years ago that I had to love him, cause I was his family. Right, on both counts!

The last few days I've also been reminded of how much I like my kids. They're not perfect, but they are kind, generous and loving to a fault. They definitely get family and are family in every sense of the word. They work through hurt and pain that has sometimes been hanging around for years, and always do their best to be honest with themselves. Heroes all, to me.

Farmer Gord, who we buy our apples from at the market, and who was married for 58 years, lost his wife this week. His family, kids, grandkids, were all at the market as usual, talking about her and getting hugs from everyone. He always has a bag of candy for the kids and let's them get in the back of the apple truck. They have often reminded me of our own family, and are down to earth, kind and loving.

There really are no words that adequately describe family, but I will settle for saying that I'm grateful, very grateful.

Love, elly