Thursday, December 16, 2010

Joy 80/82: Family

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."
-- Jane Howard
Most of my "family" is by choice rather than blood.  My ancestors must have been an odd lot ... they seem to have embraced divorce long before it was popular so the family tree has more "steps" than many tall buildings.  Years ago, I looked around and realized that all of the family that I was close to, I wasn't actually related to.  Realizing that I could choose my family was very freeing ... and also a reminder that I  had to nurture the family ties to keep them alive.  I couldn't just depend on "blood."

Anyway, I love Jane Howard's quote and this time of the year when we pay special attention to the friends and family that make up our tribe.

About this image:  "Together Separately" -- Missy (poodle) and Boo (outdoor cat) were thrown together this year and are gradually becoming part of the tribe that includes Roxy (pomeranian), Buddy (shih tzu) and Kitani (indoor cat).

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