Familia...

Families are like dirt roads. Full of twists and turns, bumps and beautiful sights. But most of all they take you from here to there.
I am very fortunate that my 'families', adopted, married into and biological are full of great people. So far I haven't met a relative I can't at least tolerate. And as I have grown older I have learned how important family is. They are there, whether or not they want to be, to help you through good times and bad. And the longer you stick together the closer you become.
In the past few years my family status has changed a great deal. My oldest son joined the Navy and was stationed for 5 years in Japan. My adoptive parents died. I found out I am the middle child of 5. I have a sister and 3 brothers. My nephew, his wife and their little girl moved to MA. My brother-in-law and his wife moved back to MA after 30 years in Las Vegas. I had cancer. My father-in-law had cancer.  My youngest son got married. Not all in that order but all in my family.
My large, extended, wonderful family.
I won't say it is a perfect relationship with each an every one. But I think on the whole they are all pretty good relationships and time has seen them grow.
I really like my 'redneck' nephew. He grew up in Las Vegas so we really didn't get to see him much. But since his move to MA with his wife and daughter we have gotten to know them better. Granted we come from different age groups and there are probably quite a few things we might disagree on but I really like them. Yeah it surprises me cause I am not a people person. I wasn't brought up in what you might call a close a bonding family unit. I was also extremely shy (yes, shy) and introverted as a kid so seeing people, meeting them and actually having to talk to them was not something I enjoyed doing. So it always amazes and delights me when I find I like people. 
I like my nephew's tenacity to believe in things considered 'redneck'. Political or otherwise. I enjoy his wife's intelligence and the fact that she had gone back to school for and associates degree and she is kicking ass doing it. And their daughter is a kid. Not some mini-adult in kid's clothing. But a kid enjoying being a kid and not rushing to get all grown up. She still enjoys going into grandma's jewelry box and playing 'dress up' with the sparkling, colorful costume jewelry.
I got to spend quite a bit of time this weekend with family. I went to NYC, Brooklyn to be precise on Saturday with my cousin. From 6:45 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. It was great. I was talked out, foot tired and happy as a clam when I got home. We are two extraordinarily different people, going down two entirely different life paths and we love to get together and spend time enjoying two loves in our lives, gardening and art. 
Today was spent eating, laughing, talking and even (a little on my part) drinking. With in-laws and immediate family we talked about kids, cuts, bruises and our lives in general. Its always hard to leave and let go of these times together. We don't know when or if they will happen again. But the best thing is to remember even if they don't, they did. That is what makes my family so special to me, all the memories that 30+ years have brought me and the fact I think all these people have made me a better person. I'm not the shy, introverted kid I once was. I am still a bit shy when first meeting people but once I get going, watch out!