Family

I am a curious creature, in most senses of the word.  A bit odd and always on the verge of asking a question.  This may explain why I enjoy Lewis Carroll as much as I do, but I digress.

I am also a very fortunate creature.  I know this, have known this, for pretty much my whole life.  The reasons have changed, but the feeling is consistent. I know I have an exceptional group of friends who I consider my family.  We are smart, fun, silly, caring, witty, charming, wonderful people who take care of each other.  When told by a therapist that perhaps I set the bar too high for people, my response was that perhaps hers was too low.  And in truth, the attributes I weigh most heavily are kindness and thoughtfulness (here meaning actually thinking about what you say and do).  I don’t feel this is unreasonable.

Those who feel they don’t fit in with “convention” usually talk about finding their place, a group of like-minded people.  While I know my circle doesn’t agree on everything, the basics of respect and caring are there.  And what we don’t agree on are more debate points than fundamentals.  As with any group there are sides we share more with one person than another, but I believe we all know that we are loved no matter what.  At least, that is how I feel.  And our differences make it all the more fun when we get together, because we have things to talk about and stories to share.

My curiosity takes me to some interesting places, and this weekend I joined a new group of folks, most my age or a good bit older.  They talked about the family you choose, and finding acceptance in this community where they didn’t elsewhere. As I listened I was once again reminded that I was blessed.  I come from a place where my friends mean the world to me, and the common thread among us is that we enjoy each other.  I never had to search for that place where I belonged, it found me.  And it isn’t contingent on an activity or belief, it is because I am me. 

If the world was the way I imagine it could be in my own mind everyone would get to feel this way.