It takes a village

It takes a village to raise a child...but also an adult.  It has become clear to me that we need each other.   We need to be connected.  We were not meant to be an island unto ourselves.  The true meaning of our life happens in relationship to others.  I know sometimes it gets mucky.  There are people who we don't like, can't get along with...have a bad effect on us.  Of course we need to use good judgement in the type of people we surround ourselves with....but real meaning comes from those people that are there for us...who put up with us, talk it through with us, laugh with us, cry with us, play with us, sing and dance with us.  When our days are over, we live on in the stories and songs and memories that those people continue to carry around with them.

I have always believed in loving wherever I can, however I can....in nurturing, understanding, caring....encouraging.  I have been so fortunate to have so many people in my life that have been that to me.  Today I am thankful for all those people. If you are reading these words, most likely you are one of them.

We all need it.  We all need that little heart to heart talk that keeps us on the right path, the pat on the back, the thumbs up, the warm hug...the facebook "like" to keep us going....or to encourage us when we are doubting or questioning.  It is those little encouraging acts that we do for each other...the ways we show each other that we believe in and care for each other.  Sometimes...it is a word of encouragement that begins a friendship.

This is my cousin Walter and his family...along with my own kids.  We grew up together. We were a year and about 3 miles apart growing up.  When we both went off to college, we would see each other on holidays and during breaks...but we kind of lost each other for a little bit..each going our own way.  His first marriage ended, and he remarried.  As coincidence would have it...(and I think most coincidences are actually divine intervention) when I was pregnant for Alex. I learned that Walter and his wife were also pregnant...and due around the same time.  Our boys were born 8 days apart.

We went to visit them when the boys were still pretty young....and that one visit was all it took.  I had always gotten along really well with Allison , Walter's wife, but everything just clicked.  My kids who hadn't really known Walter or his family...clicked...and from that visit on...we have all been close.  There have been many visits...and game nights and parties.  Walter feels more like a brother to me than a cousin, and Allison a close friend...and our kids love each other as close cousins.  I love our visits, because I always have time to just sit and talk.  No matter what I am going through or what their family is going through...we are just always able to listen and be there for each other.....I can't imagine life without them.

If I hadn't reached out...If we hadn't gone for that visit...what wonderful relationships we would all be missing out on.  It is easy to get discouraged with people...they are sometimes disagreeable in many ways...but when you find the people you connect with...It helps you navigate the roads of life...and helps make the ride so much more worthwhile.  Take a chance on someone.  Encourage someone.  Reach your hand out...start a new friendship by encouraging someone...it really is what life is all about....and meant to be...

" If you were all alone in the universe with no one to talk to,no one with which to share the beauty of the stars, to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life?  It is other life, it is love, which gives your life meaning.  This is harmony.  We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth."

~ Mitsugi Saotome