Family: Overrated or Overestimated?

There is a hierarchy to the people who form the world around you:

1) Family
2) Friends
3) Significant Others

This is not always the same for everyone. For some, significant others are the first priority. For others, family is closest. And yet, for me, it has always been in this order.

When boyfriends let me down, I turned to my friends. When friends let me down, I turned to my family. But never did I put friends or boyfriends before family. Never. Do you know why? Because family will always be there to pick you up. They are the ones who will love you no matter what. They are the ones who will support you in endeavours when no one else would.

This week was my 23rd birthday. And like many birthdays, it wasn't marked by any exciting parties. There was no excess of booze. There was no surprise. Mostly it was just another day. A very long day to be precise. I spent 12 hours at work on my birthday so that I could take time off Friday afternoon to drive to Edmonton. But when those plans fell through, it was difficult to think that my birthday could be anything but misery.

Today was difficult. Was I left hanging because of a girlfriend (not mine, to be sure)? Or was it the result of circumstances? I have been told that this is more of the latter than the former. But this is still hard to believe. You need not know why, but the bottom line is that until this evening, I didn't think my birthday could be special. I didn't think it was worth noting.

Why should I celebrate a day that on most years is nothing more than another disappointment? I celebrate my birthday because it's the day I was given a family. It's the day I was given a life. It's a day I can call my own. But I remember that that day also carries with it memories of years gone by where I was forgotten. Days when I didn't think the world cared. That MY world cared.

Depressing, isn't it?

But tonight, with the help of my cousins Brian and Jenni, I was able to salvage the start to my year. With the help of family, I was able to enjoy myself. My family stood by me when a friend let me down. They reminded me that I'm loved, and always will be.

We forget that our families, despite their antics and dysfunctionality, are there for us. They care for us when no one else does. Remember to tell them you love them. It's the least you can do.