CCa #5: Family

I love my family. My family is HUGE. My mom is the sixth child of a family that has eight children. There are so many aunties and uncles and cousins and nieces and nephews that its hard to keep track of birthdays and special days. There is, however, one thing that stands out and that is L-O-V-E.

I know it sounds corny, but my family is all about love and support. We are a family that is dedicated to each other. Let me illustrate: when I was just two years old and had my first hospitalization my uncle Paul drove all the way from Minnesota because he heard I was in the hospital. He showed up at 2am at the hospital because that is when he arrived in town. There are many instances like this that have happened over the years demonstrating the many ways that my family has been there for me. Like the time my aunt drove up from California to help my mom while I was doing home IV meds and made me a special drawer in the kitchen for tea. Or, the when my nana moved up from New Mexico and spent three years in Oregon (away from the sun!) so that she could be near us. Or, the many times my aunt Maxine has come down to Portland with Halloween costumes, Christmas presents, birthday surprises, etc. My aunt Shauna used to sit through every poke and procedure with me because she was the only one who could calm my nerves!

I am lucky. I know that and am so grateful that I have a family who loves me (and who I love right back!) and who support me and give me strength. I am always sad when I hear about a kid in the hospital who is alone. I just couldnt do this alone. Its hard enough just to be sick, but to go through this alone would be unbearable to me.

To my family, I love you with my whole heart! Thank you so much for the love and the laughter and those crazy random instances where you just showed up and made me smile! I couldnt ask for more because I cant imagine any other group of people being more loving or more supportive or more dedicated than you have been.

Because of my family, I will always know that LOVE is the currency that reigns supreme in life. Sure, money is nice, but you cant buy love, man.

Love,

Phoebe