When friends become Family #26

I am not sure when it happens. I am not sure how it happens … or why, but I know that it happens. I grew up in a home in California and we did not live near our blood relatives. My mom’s family lived on the east coast and my dad’s relatives are from the deep south. My folks met washing dishes at a camp in Canada (but that is a different story). So we had neighbors and church friends that we did things with that I think are normal for extended families to do.  And I grew up thinking people were my relatives that really were not.  This phenomenon occurs when people morph from friends and neighbors and they become family. The phenomenon must have a name but I am not sure what it is. I have been to several funerals lately and these people that I have done life or at least a part of life with share  solid roots and core memories with me.

Today I am waiting at a train station in England to go visit one of these non blood relatives: Audrey Sheppard. I am so blessed to have so many of these relationships and I think it is a foretaste of heaven. Just sayin….thank you Lord.