"Ohana means family. Family means no one is left behind, or forgotten."
This, BTW, is a quote from Lilo & Stitch, which is my FAVORITE MOVIE EVER.
What is a family? A group of people with the inter-linked DNA? I disagree... Through the last few years, a very unusual family has formed in my life. And I LOVE it! We aren't related by blood, we live in different cities and even different states, and seem to not have much in common. Slowly but surely though, we've become an Ohana that no one can beat.
Sometimes I think people wonder what's wrong with us... 3 females and a child walking into church every sunday, always late, and frequently giggling. The four of us, plus James, eating and shopping together, always laughing and talking loudly. Random members of the Ohana always on the phone, calling up Alison or Jami just to have a bit of a chat. (Jakey LOVES Jami and Alison!!!) Pretty much daily e-mails are exchanged with Tammy V. Daily phone calls are shared with Alison. (those two things make my day, BTW!) Jami and I are almost always chatting via MSN. We laugh together, she gives me internet hugs when I cry, and helps me to keep life in perspective.
While others at my job talk about their spouses, kids, and siblings... I talk about M, my unofficially-adopted daughter. While others talk about the friends they are going to see after work, I talk about the snowstorm Jami is having in Colorado or the most recent house-buying advice Tammy V gave me from... ummm... Maryland? While others talk about the couples they and their spouse hang out with on the weekends, I talk about funny things Kim & Jakey have done and said to crack me up! (Like Jakey trying to play the "PT Cruiser, _____s a looser" game over the phone with Alison! lol) And of course, I talk about James, but that's really pretty normal for a 27 year old female, to talk about the man of her dreams frequently. *blush*
So, my thought for the day, is that family can be the people who share your DNA... but some of the best "family members" can be found anywhere you look.
Ohana. I love it.
8 comments:
Im pleased you have special people in your life
and isnt the internet great for those a bit further away
Aw...I love that we are friends, even though we've never met, and you've never even been to Colorado! :-) *hug*
In case you are wondering, it is not snowing, today. ;-)
Hmmm...my Ohana...my maid of honor, my friend Ezrae, my friend Jana-BananaBear, my dance partner...I suppose my husband and my family can be in my Ohana, too?
You know one of my best friends in the whole world is Aimz, who happens to live in New Zealand.
Because of the internet, I have such beautiful friendships that I cherish dearly to my heart, and guess what? You are one of them, kiddo.
Ohana - I like that word! Family really is more of a state of mind than just DNA strands. So glad you've found your tribe, Jana~xo
You've beautifully summed up what 'family' has come to mean for many of us in the 21st century. Wonderful post.
I must be the abnormal one. I don't consider people I blog with family or friends, just acquaintances. (except Jana of course who I am really related to) In order to really have a deep relationship with someone, I have to have face to face interaction, and "do" stuff with that person. Otherwise there is something missing. Now I realize this is probably not the norm but it's just how I look at it.
My "ohana" are my kids and hubby.
I've adopted people all my life. Maybe because I am adopted, family has always meant more to me than blood relation. I am so happy to be in your ohana - because it has felt like family to me for quite a while.
and yes, Maryland. Southern Maryland. Which is different than the rest of Maryland because it really is the south. But a beautiful place - between the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and the Patuxent River.
awwwwww that's so sweet!
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