What can you say...it's family

So you guys remember the opening scene of "The Wiz" when Diana Ross was in her family's Harlem apartment and everyone was preparing for Christmas dinner. Food everywhere, kids laughing, too many people and not enough room? That is my favorite scene of that movie because it reminds me of gatherings with my family.

So I am here taking a break from mixing, pouring, measuring and stirring. I am in the middle of making my famous German Chocolate Cake and Banana Pudding. Okay, maybe they are only famous with my family, but really it's their opinion that matters to me anyway. The last post I wrote was about friends who were like family to me. This post is about family who are like friends.

I don't think that it was until I left home for college that I really began to appreciate the gift I had by way of my family. I had always had them around and I guess that I just took for granted that everyone had large familys with whom they were close. When I went away to school and became intimately involved in the lives of strangers from across the country, I began to realize just how special the spirit was in my tribe. Most of my college peers had families, but few of them were as connected to my family as I was.

From the time I can remember, I have been surrounded by loving and caring folks who demonstrated a sincere concern for my well being. Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins..you name it - they were ALWAYS there for me. School plays, cheerleading competitions, graduations, celebrations for large and small events- they have been there. Good times, bad times, I thought I was too grown to be bothered with them times - they have loved and supported me through them all.

Most uniquely and importantly I have my parents. Interestingly enough, I never really refer to them as a unit, as they have been divorced since I was a toddler. Despite all the challenges this presented for me growing up, I have come to appreciate my parents for their unique qualifications in being just that....my parents. I have come to appreciate my mother as my best friend and my father as that person who let's me know that I am not as crazy as I sometimes think I am. My mother and Father were the perfect balance for me.

From my mom, I got the common sense approach to reality, cooking skills, financial responsibility and a good dose of "I will do anything for you, but cross me and I will cuss your ass out" if need be ness that everyone black girl needs. From my father I got the book smarts, curiosity about the world, restless wanderlust, the keen ability to judge a situation and character almost instantly, some street smarts and an unparalleled imagination and belief that I really can do anything I put my mind to. For better or worse, they are my family too - really, the one's who made me possible and honestly, I would not have it any other way.

To my mind, I have to go down a really long list before I come across a relative that I consider an "extended" family member. There is nothing extended about me and my family...we are simply family.

The thing that I think is unique about my family is that we are always gathering for something. The fact that many folks in my family travel together, socialize outside of the perfunctory holiday's and seek out one another's advice and support is so awesome to me. My friends laugh because me and my cousin's greet each other as such..."hello cousin". We love each other and I really feel like we enjoy one another's company.

We are a loud and lively bunch and when we get together we have a good time. However, the thing that is so damn cool to me is that we really don't have much of the typical drama that goes on in most familys. None of us is perfect and a good misunderstanding happens from time to time. Each of us has long standing quirks that the others have just come to accept for the most part. But from my perspective, when one of these quirks rears it's head, it seems that most ruffled feathers are easily smoothed for the greater good and peace is re-established in the end. Even when we disagree, the disagreements rarely escalate publicly and NEVER violently. Underneath it all resides a genuine love and respect one for the other and this ish is dope..... I love it.

So, the cake layers are about cooled and the Banana Pudding is resting comfortably in the fridge. I cannot wait to get to my uncle's house tommorow for Thanksgiving to begin our ritual battle over the Turkey Wings. I cannot wait for the passing of the plates, the trips back and forth to the kitchen and the sharing of news and stories from myriad folks.

Yep, I love Thanksgiving, but more than that I love my family and I really enjoy their company. My life has not been perfect, but I thank God for deciding to place me right where he did....smack dab in the middle of the craziest, funniest, smartest most loyal group of folks I know....my family.