It’s All Relative!

You can choose your friends, but not your relatives! So goes the adage which implies you may love your friends, but not so much your relatives. This is so not true for me. Most of my extended family have passed except for two special cousins who are very dear to me, But not to worry, I have my husband’s family and we are very close.

In-laws get a bad rap from comedians and are often the brunt of bad jokes. This is very unfair from my perspective since I have great in-laws. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law have welcomed me into the family since the first day I met them, over 40 years ago. When we get together, we chat and laugh and share memories of the past decades. They have made me feel part of their family from the beginning and our relationship continues to grow stronger with each year. And since the passing of my dad, sister and mom, I feel particularly close to them. They are my family.

I have a special relationship with my niece. She is like a younger sister to me and I hold her near and dear to my heart. C is an amazing woman. She is bright, ambitious, and strong. She shares her life with a great husband and a big chocolate lab. She has excelled in her career and has become a role model and mentor for upcoming professional women. C is also a caring individual who freely gives her time and effort in causes that benefit others, just because. Additionally, she sets self goals that others would find difficult, even impossible. She runs. Really runs, like in the NY Marathon and the Boston Marathon. C is disciplined and motivated. Yet, she certainly knows how to have fun and makes sure that those around her have fun too. C is a planner, as I am, and together we organize the good times enjoyed by the family. When there is a major event, like a milestone birthday or anniversary, C and I team up and make fun happen.

My connection with C goes much deeper than just party planning. We share a common approach to living. We choose to see the positive in life, even when there are dark clouds looming. We are not complainers, although we both may have our moments. We are openminded and nonjudgemental. Live and let live is a philosophy we both share. As you may expect, C is incredibly empathic and understanding of my Parkinson’s. She reminds me of my need to rest or nap, but always in a gentle supportive way. She truly gets my Parkinson’s, accepts my Parkinson’s and never makes me feel uncomfortable about my Parkinson’s.  C is a gift in my life who just happens to be a relative. 

So thanks to my husband for adding so much to my life and especially for sharing his family with me.  I am blessed..