My favorite stories are the ones that have Strong Families. I don’t just mean Blood Relation Families, but I also mean the Families that are built from Life and Necessity and Love. Often times those are ‘blood family’ like for Katniss and Prim, or the March girls. Buran with her sisters. Even Indiana Jones has his dad.
Firefly is one of my favorite examples of Life Formed Families. Where everyone has to step into a role for the Good of the Whole. Inara is the Caretaker, emotional stability for those who need comfort. Kaylee is the Little Sister that everyone can help take care of and brings everyone together in harmony. Zoe is the physically strong one, to be leaned on. She can help with strategizing the best ways for everyone to survive. Wash is the humor, the Big Brother, the one people can talk to. Jayne, well, he’s the Shield. Sometimes he doesn’t mean to be, but he protects the ship, the family. Of course there’s the Shepherd, who does his best to care and nurture everyone, despite how they treat him.
River and Simon, the brother and sister who would do anything for each other. Simon risking his life and livelihood to save her, and River in the end, embracing herself in order to save him and everyone.
Then there’s Mal. The one who does everything and anything (usually unconventionally) to keep his ship and crew safe. The Ultimate Big Brother in my mind. He’s willing to rebuke, to take a stand, and even ungracefully admit that he was wrong. Not to mention that he’s incredibly funny and despite being strict loves to have fun.
My point in all of this is that we ALL need a Family. I remember when I first started working at my Coffee Shop of Lovely People and Wonderful Times. From the get-go I wanted to form a Family with the people I worked with. There were the owners, that were ‘mom and dad’ (I can’t tell you how many times I almost called my boss ‘dad’!). All of us behind the counter were either brother and sisters, cousins or once in a while we’d have the ‘crazy aunt or uncle’ who would be a ton of fun. I loved it. I loved the feeling of camaraderie.
No matter what element I find myself in, this is something I natural tend to do.
So I also do it here. I imagine that today I’m writing to all of you, my Family, and we’re just hanging out on a porch, talking about what we love about each other. The “who is who” conversation. Lovely is definitely the Big Sister, and Baseball Guy is definitely the Crazy Uncle, while Shy One is the Little Sister that everyone caters to, especially Strong Boy and Tough Girl.
There are stories of Families Formed through Life. Thrown together in a Beautiful mix of Needs, Wants and Love.
My challenge/desire, is that all of us would find or strengthen that Family. Find out your role. Are you the Little Sister that everyone protects, but also relies on for Comfort and Harmony? Are you the Older Brother who seeks to Protect, but also needs to be Loved?
For an example, despite being the ‘oldest’ out of my real siblings, I tend to be the Little Sister who Grew Up A Little Too Fast. The One Who Feels Incredible Responsibilities For Everyone, and Despite Being the Younger One tends to be a Leader through Love.
Who are you? I’m sure it’s Wonderful, Needed, and Desired. Don’t undermine your role in this story of Life Formed Family.
Your Little Sister Who Still Wants to Protect and Love You so that You Can Be YOU
~Delian Jayce
PS. Maryah, I though of you for this post…maybe because I feel like you and I have similar roles. I consider you my Prim, someone I Love with all of my Heart, and yet despite wanting to be the Protector, ends up being Cared For Beyond Words by Your Loving Understanding. Thank you for being apart of My Life Formed Family.
Dear Delian Jayce,
What you said is so true–friends are so much more than friends. I like to think that what you were describing is something like how Heaven will be, sitting out on the porch together, all bruises and mistakes forgiven, forgotten. Being able to live as a Family, the way it was meant to be. We’ll go beyond our differences and through the grace of God I’ll get to spend my days just talking to you and seeing your big, bright smile. There’ll be coffee shops too…the true Heavenly Cup :) …but for now, I’m so proud to be a part of your Earthly Life Formed Family, I love you <3
Love,
Your Prim
Dear Maryah,
I cannot tell you how much Love poured out of my heart to you for this comment <3. “All bruises and mistakes forgiven, forgotten. Being able to live as a Family, the way it was meant to be.” So SO true! Gives me goose-bumps thinking about it. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me. Your beautiful Life touches my heart in ways that I’m not sure I could ever express correctly – but know that your Life means more to me than anything else in the World!