Family-bunch-troops-tribe-people-rat pack

Who is family? What is family?

I think that to define family is to put a label on those who are not directly blood related; a family member comes in many different ways. An aunty, uncle, step-parent, step-sibling, half-sibling, sister in law, brother in law, daughter in law, son in law, mother in law, father in law, cousions, niece, nepew, close friend, godparent. It's an endless list, only you can decide who are your family. I think of those who I love dearly, would do anything without hesitation for and always have a special place in my heart as my family. Give me an example you say? Well I consider my godfather my unlce, a very close family friend an aunty and I consider my best friend my sister.

My immediate family is made up of me, my younger brother and sister, my mum and dad. Extended family is made up of two uncles, three aunties and seven cousions. Sadly my grandparents have passed but I had two grandads, two grandmothers and a gran - they will never be forgotten. The rest of my family is made up of second and third cousions who I haven't meet yet but hope to soon; my godparents, close friends and other friends that I refer to as uncle, aunty and neice.

Another type of family that I've noticed is very strong is a work family; espeically those who work in the emergency services or armed forces. The people who work in thes services tend to be very close all because they have something in common. The risk of not returning from work - a very morbid thought I realise but also it's reality. I remember watching a movie, Ladder 49 it was roughly based around the events of 9/11 and one young fireman. The look on his wife's face when she saw the chiefs red truck pull up outside their home, the chief and the priest get out and walk towards her - she knew instantly why they were there. Yes she was clearly upset but I admire her for the strength that she had inside her to hold things together for her children. I don't think she would have had the strength if it had not been for the fellow fireman - her extended family.

So as you can tell family comes in many different forms and is found in many different places.

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, and call it a fanily. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. - Jane Howard.