Family

Family is an interesting thing. In my own experience, I have had family on both sides of my parents that I really never knew but yet they will always remain family. Sometimes I feel like you can go to all the birthday parties, holiday functions, or family gatherings and still leave never really knowing each other. And sometimes there are people that you can meet that are not related to you at all and they feel closer than a brother or sister. I suppose it's a lot of things that cause this. However, family is family.
Recently Brandon and I were being counseled by an older mentor friend who was talking about keeping the peace among family, but that most importantly the bible even talks about once a husband and wife are married the two become one and then they are first and foremost responsible for their household. This is something we are trying to focus on and work towards...keeping the peace in our own home and focusing on bringing up our children in such a way that is pleasing to the Lord. In a way that they will know God, the one true living God, and put Him first...then all the other things and people come next in priority.
With all that said, my grandmother (my moms mother), passed away. She was 93. My brother and I never really stayed with my grandparents (either side) as children. They were not our babysitters while my parents went out. I just remember visiting on occasion or holidays. When I was much younger I remember always admiring my grandmothers rings. We talked about them and she would tell me where each one came from (she always wore the same ones). One of them was this ring pictured above. It was one of the prettiest, sparkly ones. I remember telling her how much I liked it, or that it was my favorite.
This past year she gave me that ring when I was visiting her. I had completely forgotten all about telling her that was my favorite back then. Im not sure if she just knew her time was ending or what, but she felt like giving it to me. It was pretty special...especially considering I don't have a super close family or super close relatives.
So, in honor of my grandmother, I just wanted to share a few thoughts. May she rest in peace.