A unit of the Mafia

Family. It's one of the few times in our lives, we don't choose the people associated with us. I, in that matter, won the lottery. While my family has its' quirks and we sometimes clash, I love my family. They are, quirks and all, all that one could ever ask for.

My parents are supportive to the nth degree. And they have opportunities to be either way. Sara has always been the child that worked her tail off and earned every grade she got. She continues to work her tail off in her amazing job that was offered to her a year before she graduated. She also works at a marriage to the coolest guy I know (hopefully not the case forever. I like to think I'll like my husband more), and I can honestly say they are one of the best couples. Period. She also has an amazing home that her and said husband always seem to be tinkering with (although some of those things just keep popping up on their own).

I on the other hand, was that annoying kid that never worked for grades, they just came my way. I have floated a bit after college, doing a brief stint in Virginia, now lollygagging around Cincinnati. And yet, they are equally supportive of both of us. They could not possibly love us any more than they already do. Dad is always there for wisdom, prayer and a backrub when you're tired or feeling sick, and random trivia about weird scifi shows. Mom is always there. For anything. Even if that's you left a random paper at home when you drove back up to college in Oxford. She's there 45 minutes later with your paper and lunch at Skyline.

All that being said, I couldn't ask for anything else in a parent. They are everything a person could hope for and ask for. Not only are they this wonderful and giving with Sara and I, but it extends to any of our friends, their friends, their friends' children, any homeless person they can find on the street. More than anything else, they are good at giving themselves away. (not necessarily mom's nickyknackies, but definitely her time and herself)

Luckily for me, that translates to Sara being amazing at it as well. (which also means she married that kind of man). I am continually blessed by Sara and Mike and their willingness, two years into their marriage, to take in the homeless little sister with no job opportunities. I had the message from Mike inviting me to stay here on my phone for two months. I finally had to erase it because I cried every time I listened to it. Not only did they invite me in for this year, but even when I had a plausible job opportunity this summer, Mike suggested I stay another year to save up money.

Nothing in particular prompted this, but I've just been realizing how blessed I am when it comes to my family. They are four amazing people that while two weeks is the vacation limit, I'm glad there's not really a limit. I'm glad that we're all chasing after Christ together. I'm glad that we're in one city, sharing our lives. I'm glad that I get to spend the rest of my life loving and being loved by these four people.