Is blood really thicker than water? Is there a bond between people because of the blood that runs through their veins?
In 1973 my father died, it was the last time that I recalled seeing his only sibling. His parents had both died before dad. His grandparents were both gone. As time went by we lost contact with his family, which was my grandmothers family. Eventually, we left the area that my father grew up in. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of my dad, that part of me misses him or misses having a dad not sure which one it is. I'd like to think that it is him the person I miss not the role that he was to have played in my life.
A few years ago, I began researching my family name, it's not like it would be hard to find people with the same last name seeing how it is such an unusual one...lol. I found my aunts name, I saw that she had passed away but through that I was able to find her son, my only 1st cousin on my dads side. I called him one Sunday afternoon, not knowing if he would remember me or care. It was amazing, he'd wondered where we were.... we stayed in contact somewhat; time went by and I felt such a need to go back to Rockford. So, in the fall of 2007 we loaded up the car and I called Brian as we were getting in the car telling him we were driving up to Illinois. Because God is just that good it just so happened that Brians family were going to be in Rockford that weekend.
With the anticipation of a child on Christmas Eve I got in the car and we began our journey.... the trip was filled with blessings all the way. The best trip we'd been on to that point. We got to Rockford, I had a list of names and places to go see or call. Everyone I called was eager to see me and meet my family.... everywhere I went I saw things I remembered with the joy that I had imagined from my childhood.
Brian and his family arrived in Rockford the evening after we did... how can I explain the feeling of seeing someone that I hadn't recalled seeing since before 1973... it could have been like seeing or meeting a stranger. But it wasn't, it was like a part of me had been reattached to my spirit. Like something I had lost so long ago and finally found it again. If I could have stayed longer I would have. Part of me wanted to settle in and not leave... my children bonded immediately with their cousins, and ask so often about when we will see them again.
We shared memories, and updated each other. I met my fathers aunt who was 95 at the time. Even that was not like meeting someone for the first time, it was like I'd always known her, how do you explain that other than Blood is a bond that ties people together.
I wept like a baby (probably embarrassed myself horribly) as we said goodbye that last day. Making plans to get together soon, as life has it situations have not allowed a reunion as of yet, but it will soon... but even if it isn't as soon as I like, I found part of me that was lost and it can not be replaced.
But does that mean that a bond isn't there if you don't share blood? I have family who are distant as far as blood goes but there is a bond that you can not argue with. My moms cousins son & daughter-in-law, that is a special relationship for me as well as my children. My cousins boys, I adore, I feel as if I've known them everyday of their lives...truth is I knew them when they were young and re-met them a few years ago... but it doesn't feel like that. I talk to them as often as we can get intouch with each other, and I love being an active part of their lives and families.
Then there's the family that you don't share a drop of blood... My Grandma Wilson, Granny Wilson....her grandchildren call her that, it took me years to call her that. When a woman loves you like she loves her very own grandchildren and you feel that deep to the core of your being how do you explain that?
Or my friend Tami, I've known Tami for almost 30 yrs... (we were toddlers when we met, yeah right!) There is something there that I can't explain it is a relationship that is hard to detail; other than she feels like a sister...a true sister. But beyond that her own siblings feel like a part of my extended family, when I am with them it is like that is right where I belong...what a great feeling, I love that group!!!
The Waters family, they loaned us their son for less than a year... what a year that was- he is my son not taking away from his amazing mother Shannon by any means... I will take 2nd to her anyday; but he is like a son, like an older brother to my children. Even to this day my kids ask, If Christian wanted to come back home would you let him live with us...oh of course without a doubt--maybe I should send him a key, lol.
Then there is this new friend that has come into our lives, Rhonda. There aren't words to describe what is there, because it is so genuine, so real it doesn't feel like it hasn't been a lifetime of friendship.
I guess the Blood does matter, but what doesn't matter is if it is the Blood of your ancestors or the Blood of Jesus that binds us. And when you share the Blood of Jesus and the Blood of your ancestors it is all that much greater.
I cherish my family and friends. I do not take lightly those that God has brought into my life, I try to not take for granted the love that I have been given; and I pray that I have given back 100x more than what has been given to me; I truly feel it is greater to give than to receive!!!
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