Family

"You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."  ~Desmond Tutu

Family is the root of who you are. When you're born, they shape you as a person. No matter how much you try to fight it, you are more like them then you think. You have mannerisms and even expressions that can help outside people realize that you are most likely related. You can't help where you came from, you also can't help how they are. You can just learn to accept them for who they are, and learn to enjoy the little quirks. I've struggled with this for some time, and I still do. It all comes down to this: these people will always be in your life, and have been since day one. These people really made you how you are today. Spending time with family that I never saw growing up, for whatever reasons, has made me realize that even though they weren't around a lot, we are so much alike. It's pretty awesome!

I also can't help the things that happen. As long as it doesn't effect my life, or endanger me, it doesn't really matter. I can't fight everyone's battles for them. What can I do?

I can pray. I can pray that everyone is ok. I can ask God every day, that he guides them on a path that will help them.

My heart aches every single day for certain people in my life. I hope that whatever personal demons they have will escape them, and they will find the peace that they need. 

I am not perfect by any means, of course. I just work hard every day to be a better person, and accepting the things that I can't change with others. 

Regardless of how crazy things can get, I still and always will love the family that was given to me.