Finding Families

I find the greatest joys in my family.  Unfortunately, my life has taken me further and further away from them physically.  While I was at CMU, I was almost three hours away and weekends often were spent at various conferences and participating fully in my organizations through volunteer projects and socials.

Very few weekends were reserved for returning home.  Luckily, I have Skype and was able to talk with my mom almost every day via texting or phone calls.

Talking with family though is way different than actually BEING with one.  There weren't many families in my life for the first three years of college.  I really missed being around kids and having "adults" to talk to.

There's something special about a mom's hug...even if it isn't your own mom.

Lucky for me...this past year, I found myself "adopted" by not one, but TWO families!  They were both families from my university parish.  Both sets of parents homeschooled their kids.  So visiting with them took me back to my childhood.  I was able to help the moms with their homeschool curriculum and chat with very intelligent kids.

For one family, I became a Polish teacher.  I'd show up once a week and spend about an hour with the two oldest girls.  Instead of paying me, I stayed for dinner most days.  Family dinners are one thing I sorely miss.  This was much better than getting money!  My last dinner there, the younger girl told me I had become one of the family's friends.  That is truly rewarding.

The other family visited our church frequently and I often chatted with the mom on Facebook.  When they showed up at church, I got the baby.  They hosted our end of the year party and let us keep the kids up SUPER late...

While our friendships might have been built differently, both families provided me a great example for what I want my family to be like one day.  The kids are smart and well-mannered.  Although sometimes they might be a little crazy, what family isn't? 

Beyond the great example of family, they were all a tremendous example of faith.  It makes sense since the majority of our time was at St. Mary's!  I loved being able to sit in the middle of a Catholic family again during Mass.  It helped on the days that I felt lonely or overwhelmed.

Unfortunately, being so close with them means that I will miss them just as much as my college friends, maybe more.  Luckily, they will probably stay in the Mt. Pleasant area unlike most of my friends so I will be able to visit easier.

Praise God for the blessings of families.