Family

My family came into town this weekend from all across the country for our annual family reunion. I was so excited to see everyone and my kids were ecstatic about having a chance to play with all their cousins. Well...things didn't quite go as anticipated, as with any family function there were some issues. Feelings were hurt and at times I felt downright insulted, but every cloud has a silver lining and that silver lining for my family was my cousin and her family. I am absolutely thrilled about the new relationship that we have established. We were raised on opposite coasts and have only seen each other a few times in our 30+ years on earth, so we have never had the opportunity to get to know one another. Her family traveled here from Texas on Friday and by the time they left Monday afternoon we had to pull our children apart and wipe their tears because they hated to be separated from their cousins. It makes my heart glad that I now have a cousin who I can visit and keep in touch with. I have never been able to do this with anyone else on my mom's side of the family, I have always felt like the outcast. I am so thankful for my cousin and her family. We are making plans to see each other again real soon. My children are already counting down the days. I no longer feel that I have to find acceptance with this side of the family, this relationship with my cousin is all I need. I have learned this weekend that you do not accept mistreatment and abuse for the sake of family. Your family should respect you and make an effort to embrace you, too. I will no longer go out of my way to please people who do not care to be a part of my life. I will no longer subject my children to mistreatment because I desperately want them to be a part of a family that does not fully accept/embrace us. I want my children to grow up feeling loved and accepted by the people in their lives. I want them to understand that they don't have to seek approval from people who are mean or indifferent towards them. This is the last year that my children will have to defend themselves for the sake of family. No longer will I spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to attend reunions that make my family uncomfortable. We will use our time and resources wisely and invest in the relationships that are meaningful and that will really matter. My family will invest in making trips to Texas in the future, to visit family that cares :)