Over the past few days, I've been doing a lot of thinking about the meaning of family and what a family really looks like. My parents divorced when I was 16 and even before then, we really didn't have much of a traditional family to begin with because of all the fighting, hatred, and abuse within the house. But now, at 23 almost 24, I finally know what a real family looks like. My Nana Connie passed away this weekend, leaving behind a huge legacy of love, devotion, and family that will be with the kids, grandkids, and nieces and nephews for the rest of our lives. When my Nana married my Papa Gene 32 years ago, she had 2 kids of her own and he had 5 boys himself. Together, they raised all 7 of the kids under the same roof without the inclination of step or otherwise. And that is how this family has been since. When my mom married us into the family, I was 18 or so, but Connie and Gene took us in as another set of grandkids to love and spoil. And for the past 6 years, we have been part of this wonderful family where we all laugh, spend time together, and support one another during the tough times.
I consider myself blessed to have such a mixed and large family, even if we do get crazy and loud most of the time. And I know that Nana is going to continue to watch over all of us for the rest of our lives because it's what she did when she was here with us. I'll always miss her, just like I will always miss my Grandma and Memaw Bernice. But I have 3 angels up in the clouds watching over me always. It still is weird to me not hearing the voices of these women who have had such an influence on my life, but I know that I will carry the lessons of love that they taught with me all the days of my life. I hope to do them proud in the future as I grow up and become more of an adult.
