I ran across this online the other day. While it doesn’t sum up my thoughts about family, it’s how some families operate.
“There’s an old proverb that says you can’t choose your family. You take what fate hands you. And like them or not, love them or not, understand them or not, you cope. Then there’s the school of thought that says the family you’re born into is simply a starting point. They feed you, clothe you, and take care of you until you’re ready to go out into the world. There you find your own tribe.”
Growing up, my parents, their parents, and their brothers and sisters looked out for one another. They didn’t always agree, but when the chips were down, they supported one another. That’s what their parents modeled and taught them to do. When they needed help, they were ready to lend a hand. When family members passed, they were there to offer support. My parents drove to Kentucky several times as members of my mom’s extended family died. When my sisters and I were young, Dad stayed behind to care for us while Mom paid her respects.
That’s just how it was. No one kept score of past grievances. They just stood by, ready to lend a helping hand, because that’s what families do. That’s how Ruth and I and our sisters were raised, and we’ve passed that commitment on to our kids. They all showed up in Florida this week to offer support at Ruth’s Celebration, and I know they’ll show again when we gather in Michigan next June.
We had people I’d never met before, next door neighbors, and former design clients of Ruth 
attend. My friend of seventy-two years, Mitch, flew in from Michigan to offer his support. Friends from our time at Lake LeAnn and our new home in Stanwood, Michigan showed up. We had friends make a nine-hour drive from South Carolina to join us for a two-hour gathering. The real-estate agent that sold us our house attended. They paid their respects to a lady they loved.
When the event was over, the caterer, the owners of the venue, and several friends complimented me on my children and grandchildren. “You have a beautiful family.” I do indeed. I’m a lucky man.