The Greatest Gift

Our month-old sump pump shit the bed. The basement smells like a wet dog. We had to call the cops last night. Brian and I have both been sick. My anxiety is through the roof. The spirit of Christmas is eluding me. And so it would appear that I’m not thankful for much these days.

The truth is, things aren’t always as they seem. Last night Brian and I were talking, and although I’m not a religious person, I told him maybe there’s something to that adage that god never gives us more than we can handle. Maybe all the things we’ve been through in the last few years have happened because we’re strong enough to endure.

I don’t think I could have endured all of these trials without the support of the people in my life. This Christmas season, I’ve been thinking a lot about the definition of family. It’s pretty simple, really. A family member is anyone who cares enough to check in on you from time to time, who wants to celebrate your successes, who wants to laugh with you, who offers a shoulder to cry on when you’re sad. A family member will help dry out your basement at 11 o’clock at night, will pick you up when your car breaks down, will ask your opinion about things, will let you in their house even when the dust bunnies look more like tumbleweeds, will share meals and holidays with you.

I have so many family members these days. I obviously know I have something to do with the life I’ve created, but sometimes it’s crazy to think how many people I’m blessed to have in my life. As someone who never had very many friends as a child, and always questioned her place in her biological family, I feel like my life right now is such a gift. Smelly basement, crazy neighbor and all.

To all my online and offline family members, thank you for giving me the gift of yourselves. You’ve enriched my life in so many ways. Merry Christmas.