Family

Google defines 'family' as a social unit living together, people descended from a common ancestor, a person having kinship with others, an association of people who share common beliefs or activities, or, (my personal favorite) a loose affiliation of gangsters in charge of organized criminal activities.

I say this not because you are inept but, rather, because I needed to define it for myself. It's hard getting back 'home' to Michigan to see our 'family', parents & grandparents, my siblings, aunts and uncles, as often as we would like, and less feasible with each new child.

After being in Western Nebraska for almost four years now, we've begun to establish a family of sorts out here. You know, the people you can call any time of the day or night (and believe me, WE HAVE!)? They'll drop what they're doing, (or at least finish up quickly) to give you a hand, bring you a ladder, help you tear apart a car, pick up potatoes from the grocery store for you, babysit on a moment's notice, stop by to chat or take you to lunch when you need a break, drive the ambulance for you at all hours. You know, the usual stuff!

With all the wonderful people in the world, we are so blessed to have landed in a town that's full of them. People who have embraced us, helped us, welcomed us, and continue to care for us. So this post is to you, our adopted family in the town my children all know as home.

Thank you.