Family Means Sacrifice

I've not been back to the O'Brien Home since Thanksgiving and it is so nice to be home! I'm the first out-of-stater to arrive for my little brother's wedding this weekend and it has been lovely to spend time with Mom and watch my little one's play with their cousins all morning.

Can anything replace family? I know there are some people out there whose biological family are not really their family but instead they have formed a circle of friends who act in that role and I am including those friends, whoever is your "heart" family, in this question. Can anything replace family? Don't we need a loving support system outside of our immediate family that shares a bond of affection and commitment to each other?


I am fortunate that my biological family does act as my family as well. It is fun that the group of people with whom I shared my childhood I am still sharing my adulthood. That our children are growing up together (unfortunately some of us are so spread out that that is harder to accomplish than if we lived close but it is definitely worth the effort).

Sometimes it seems like such an effort must be made to maintain relationships with ten other people who live so far away. Sometimes it is difficult to make the sacrifices and do the hard thing of traveling so far to be a part of each others lives (I drove ten hours with a 2 and 4 year old - by myself... Thankfully, this was the best trip yet - after last trip alone I wasn't sure I could do it by myself again!!). And, I admit, that sometimes I am not so good at making sure I connect with each of them often enough (I'm bad at phone calls, I'm afraid)!! But I know that each of them know that I love them and they mean the world to me.

But (regardless of my failings sometimes) I truly believe it is this sacrifice, these efforts that help to cement relationships and families. Of course it isn't easy or convenient to make my siblings and mom such a priority that I spend time, money and effort to see them. That I endure what is usually a VERY trying ten hour trip with two little ones by myself, where anything could happen along the way, is hardly convenient or easy but I am very glad to say that it is worth it.

I love these people that God chose to put me in a family with. Each and every one of them. I am so thankful to God for giving me 9 wonderful siblings (and their spouses!) and an amazing mother who is the one who taught us all what sacrifice is all about.