What 'KIN' Ya' Do?

     Over the course of the last, several, days, I have spent a great deal of time with family-members, some, whom, typically, I see, only, sporadically, for all the reasons one might imagine. It has been a heart-warming, wonderful, and, very, necessary, 'mingling of the minds' for me. As I come from such a large-clan, to begin with, and my family has grown by 'leaps and bounds' and, continues to do so, we are a group of very, unique, special, and, 'diversified'-thinkers, which, of course, is A-OK, as, this is the nature of humanness. Each individual, related to me, or otherwise, is perceiving his or her life, through each, his or her own eyes, and, single, special-experience; and, this, the way it is intended. For, we are all on our, personal-path, in this, lifetime, all, headed in the same direction, toward, perfection and enlightenment. I love, that, this is so; for, wouldn't the world be a boring place if everyone was EXACTLY, alike, in 'thought, word, and, deed'? Certainly, in certain, specific-areas of life, to 'think-alike' seems the correct way TO think, as I believe, that, there ARE, Universal-Truths, and, 'Rights and Wrongs'. However, aside from this being my 'truth', the idea or notion of people, always, agreeing, and/or, seeing 'eye to eye', is a pipe-dream, and, a desire, which, can, ONLY, lead to disappointment. So...I choose to accept people, for all that they are; even, if, at times, I may not agree, or 'beg to differ' with them. And, even, with this being the case, often, I keep my personal-opinions to myself, because, other folks' lives, are not my business or concern, in any way, other, than, how I choose to relate to them, in terms of relationship with them. Naturally, I LOVE my family, and, wish ONLY the very, BEST, for each and every member. Regardless, our differences, at the 'end of the day', we're all, good, 'God-fearing' folk, who, would 'rise to the occasion' to assist one another, and, 'be there' for one another, whenever, possible. This, because, when 'push comes to shove', no matter our differences, at the 'heart of the matter', we ALL have 'heart', and, we are fortunate to know what TRULY matters in life. We were blessed to be raised, by parents, who understood the importance of both, giving and showing acceptance, forgiveness, love, tolerance, and other, such, vital-components, for teaching children well. Believe you me...we're not, unlike, any other family, in terms of being a wee, bit, 'dysfunctional, at times, but, what family can claim, otherwise, right? And, so...today, I wish to express my gratitude for being, so, fortunate, and, also, for recognizing the great-gift(s), that, I have been given. To you, Ralph, Jackie, Michael, Debbie, Teresa, Linda, Annamaria, and, Jim: I love you, all, with all my heart, and, even at times when it may not seem so, I am thankful , that, we wound up in the same 'tribe'! Just Sayin'...