Family

For me, spending time with family is an important part of Christmas. Growing up, I remember having probably 30 or so relatives in our basement every Thanksgiving and Christmas. While we many have moved away, and we no longer get together like that, my immediate family is still growing (currently at 12 people). All of us got together at Thanksgiving, so I took my time at Christmas to visit family in Orlando. While they may not be family by blood or marriage, many of them have become like family for me. I believe that "family is what you make it." During this past year, they have been the ones who have provided me support, fellowship, community, a place of refuge and hope, and so many other things. And like any family, we have our own problems and dysfunction. But this doesn't keep us from getting together and enjoying each other's company at the holidays. And while I do love my biological family, they can't replace the family I have found in Orlando. And I was very glad to spend some time down there and to have Christmas with my family. I love you all.