The following post was originally written on December 16, 2007. I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by some the most caring, generous and loving people on the planet, so felt this post was worth repeating!
We’ve all seen the phrase, “Friends are family we choose for ourselves.” And how true that is for me! Especially over the last four years or so, my friends have been more like family than the one I was born into.When I first separated from my husband, it was my friends who were there to offer encouragement and support when my ‘real family’ all but turned their backs on me.To this day, my friends still feel more like family than my blood relatives do.
In the past year and a half, I’ve been blessed with the addition of a whole new branch to my self-made family tree. My boyfriend’s family and extended family have become a very important part of my life. In a very short time, I felt welcomed, accepted and cared about, and I certainly felt the same about them!
There are times I mourn not having the relationship I’d like with my parents, brother and sister. It should be different, but it’s not, and I don’t believe there’s anything I can do to significantly change that. What I focus on is the wonderful people who surround me now. And I try to remind myself–often–of how very lucky I am to have my chosen family!
Scrolling Saturday was created by the most wonderful Melissa at Such Simple Pleasures and the very talented Coleen at Manners and Moxie.
Don’t forget to stop by and check out my new blog: The Salty Mooch! It’s not quite a week old yet, and could use some bloggy love! 
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:44 am
So true! I live hours and hours away from my blood relatives. The friends I have now are my family, they have been with me good, bad, ups and downs. There were times when these friends had my back, and my family didn’t even know I was sick, or hurt, or celebrating something. Chosen family rocks!
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:03 am
As you saw from my blog, I’m a firm believer in the family of friends. We’re so blessed!
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:18 am
I am not too fond of my own family - so I completely see what you mean. COMPLETELY!
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:19 am
Yes, friends are sooo important. I’m sorry your relationships with your parents & siblings aren’t ideal, but it’s so awesome that you have a positive attitude & keep your chosen friends so close!
Hugs!
Oh, I’m finally going to go give some love to the Salty Mooch. I did check it out, just hadn’t gotten around to commenting!
March 22nd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Great post, very real. It’s hard to admit that family have turned their backs on us, it’s happened to me a few times, especially when i was younger and making the wrong decisions - they just sort of gave up on me for awhile there. Good friends are amazing things and they are the first ones I call over my family when I have a problem. My family would just freak out and talk it to death (me being the bad guy no matter what) but friends listen and come up with good solutions with you. They don’t hold the past against you. I just love my friends to death
March 23rd, 2008 at 2:49 am
It’s so nice to have friends. Since my mom is bipolar, I am incredibly close with my two best friends, Lindsay (LC) and Josh. We call ourselves the “trio” and we really are there through everything and anything. I trust them with my entire life. They ARE my family. And sometimes, that’s all you need
Happy Easter !
xo
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:00 am
I’m not surprised you have so many people who love ya, you are a rather cool chick!