Family

My definition of family has been changing and evolving for years. My idea of what it means to be family has always been a little different. When I was a small child, I knew that I had family that I had never met and may never meet. Being adopted gave me that perspective, and I remember hoping one day that I would meet some new family members that were related to me by blood.

Meeting my biological sister Karen and then finding my biological mother and father shortly after allowed me to know some of this family. Living away from my mom and dad as well as only meeting these biological family members at age 30 allowed me to begin to define family as those around me that I love and love me in return. These were friends - and many of them were people who had a shared passion for similar things like faith, family and missions like caring for the poor. This new family identity was made clearer when I read the words of Jesus who said, "Who are my mother and brothers and sisters? Those who do God's will are my family."

Losing my mom and bio-dad to cancer this year has again made me consider my definition of family as I look to the holidays that are soon upon us. What do I need from my family? What do I bring to the relationships that make me seem like family to them?

My idea of family continues to change and evolve ...