What I learned about love — and patience — at my family reunion I love the family into which I was born. It has its problems, for sure.
But all things being equal, I feel awfully lucky. I lost my Papa my freshman year in college, which was devastating. But, being 51 years old now, I feel lucky that both of my parents are still alive.
I am not great about keeping in touch with my extended family. But there is emailing and Facebooking and the occasional visit.
I married into a great family, too — also not perfect, of course. But I have close relationships with a number of my new family members, and it’s a pretty great feeling to have a whole other family welcome you in with beyond open arms.