Families

Tuesday, April 14, Lincoln City Oregon.....my small world

Today is an ok day.  Neither sad or happy. 

I just talked to Suzanne Allen.  She is, as usual, upbeat.  She does stay informed and opinionated which means talking to her is at least interesting.  She misses her family.

I think at this time when things are quiet, when the noises of the day have been muted, we think deeper, we stay on a thought and work through it, because we have the time.  I think we all miss our families.  I know we all miss our families.  In our culture, where people move around a lot, by choice or career or necessity, we develop families where ever we live.  This has crossed my mind before as I observe homeless people.  They cluster together, it appears, as self chosen families.  They appear to support, share belongings (even if it is just a cigarette), and their caring, sympathy and commonality.  So, I guess our community becomes our families out of our basic need to belong, somewhere.

I have been thinking about my mom and dad, my brothers and sisters, and my large extended family.  Growing up I was so lucky to have such "good people" in my life.  I always found safety and comfort in their collective care.  Now, most of the generations who were in my life are deceased.  There are hundreds if not thousands of relatives of mine scattered all over the globe.  Blood but no longer counted as family.  The family that I have right now is so few.  Getting old cuts that number with ever new lose.  The same thing is true with friends who we learn to love and call family.  I took at snapshots I have taken over the years and there are so many who have died.  It is possible to make new friends at my age but not easy.  I do cherish each and every one of my friends. But, I still cry remembering all the family members I loved and how much, at times, I miss them and think how truly wonderful it would be just to sit with them and talk, to hold their hand, to hear them laugh, to feel their presence.