A few years ago, on the heels of one of the most difficult times of my life, I went to see a healer. I was reeling from the loss of my marriage, I was even more devastated to lose a group of people I considered my family, the in-laws.
I was never particularly close to my own family. I had a history of abandonment from my father who would randomly yet consistently leave me stranded at places as a child or simply would miss showing up for designated visitation days; my mother who "raised" me and I never really got along whenever she was home in between trips to Europe and we severed ties as soon as I graduated high school; my grandparents were virtually non-existent, mainly because they had either passed away or didn't get along with my mother. I had siblings, half-siblings, but they were part of my father's new family and, until recently, any involvement I had with them was simply an afterthought -- if at all.
So I had my in-laws, including a grandmother who adopted me close to her heart almost immediately. There was also an aunt whom I felt an immediate connection with and became my confidante and source of comfort. I felt the biggest loss from my divorce by losing my ties with them. Sure they offered the option to always stay in touch, but it ended up being a one-way communication.
I discussed this sense of loss with the healer and she assured me I'd have many families in my life -- 7, in fact. I already knew of at least 2 or 3 already, including my biological family. I was no stranger to the idea of the Urban Family, and in fact fostered the concept especially for many a holiday starting with my Oz Family, mostly of old roommates, neighbors and close friends I'd accumulated over about 10 years of living on Kansas Street in San Francisco.
The latest addition is a group of very special souls I met in Sedona earlier this month. I may have only been there for a week, but the lessons learned and the relationships I made will last a lifetime and longer. There were some amazing people I met at The 11.11.11 Gathering and I am forever grateful to Scott Love and Becky French and all the other Emergence CreativeSpace team members for putting it and keeping it together. In addition to the opportunity for me to step into my True Self, I got to join a whole new extensive family developed by Scott & Becky, and create a loving home with a core group of extraordinary individuals who have each taught me something about my Self and have given me that much more courage to be who I am. Dearest Joe, Caroline and Cory, there are as many kinds of love as there are moments in time and I want you to know I love you more than words can say. I can't help but think of you on this special day.
I was never particularly close to my own family. I had a history of abandonment from my father who would randomly yet consistently leave me stranded at places as a child or simply would miss showing up for designated visitation days; my mother who "raised" me and I never really got along whenever she was home in between trips to Europe and we severed ties as soon as I graduated high school; my grandparents were virtually non-existent, mainly because they had either passed away or didn't get along with my mother. I had siblings, half-siblings, but they were part of my father's new family and, until recently, any involvement I had with them was simply an afterthought -- if at all.
So I had my in-laws, including a grandmother who adopted me close to her heart almost immediately. There was also an aunt whom I felt an immediate connection with and became my confidante and source of comfort. I felt the biggest loss from my divorce by losing my ties with them. Sure they offered the option to always stay in touch, but it ended up being a one-way communication.
I discussed this sense of loss with the healer and she assured me I'd have many families in my life -- 7, in fact. I already knew of at least 2 or 3 already, including my biological family. I was no stranger to the idea of the Urban Family, and in fact fostered the concept especially for many a holiday starting with my Oz Family, mostly of old roommates, neighbors and close friends I'd accumulated over about 10 years of living on Kansas Street in San Francisco.
The latest addition is a group of very special souls I met in Sedona earlier this month. I may have only been there for a week, but the lessons learned and the relationships I made will last a lifetime and longer. There were some amazing people I met at The 11.11.11 Gathering and I am forever grateful to Scott Love and Becky French and all the other Emergence CreativeSpace team members for putting it and keeping it together. In addition to the opportunity for me to step into my True Self, I got to join a whole new extensive family developed by Scott & Becky, and create a loving home with a core group of extraordinary individuals who have each taught me something about my Self and have given me that much more courage to be who I am. Dearest Joe, Caroline and Cory, there are as many kinds of love as there are moments in time and I want you to know I love you more than words can say. I can't help but think of you on this special day.
