Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.
~David Ogden Stiers
When I look at my family,
I see a mixture of souls and personalities
That don’t fit together at all.
I see my father — the hard worker
And car fanatic
Who was seemingly always missing
Yet somehow always there.
I see my mother — her kind heart and loving spirit
Working full-time and taking care of four kids
And still getting supper on the table
Before Daddy got home from work.
I see my eldest brother,
Strong, stubborn, never lukewarm.
I see my other brother
Following the oldest’s footsteps unintentionally.
I see my sister,
Short, sassy, clever.
I see myself — a mess.
I wonder if they see me the way I do.
I wonder if they see themselves the way I do.
I wonder if other families seem as dysfunctional as ours.
I wonder if others see our dysfunction.
I wonder if we even see our dysfunction.
When I look at my family,
I wonder how we have made it this far.
But I never once wonder what life would be like
With a different family.
When I see my family,
I look past all of the dysfunction and fights
And clashing personalities.
All I see is love.
When I look at my family,
I thank God that He put us together.
And I wouldn’t have it
Any
Other
Way.
~Adrienne Sladek
