Darla's Mom

As Darla turns 1 year old, I get to think about what family means.

When I was a child, I was adopted by Lloyd and Judy Keith. Or, Daddy and Mrs Keith , as she was a teacher at Holly Avenue where I was a student of Rose Fox.

Family

My family of origin was comprised of 4 children, Shawna, Shane, Sonya and Scott. Our mother was Sheila and we had a variety of fathers from what I surmise.  The 1960’s and 1970’s was an era of free love, drugs, and really ugly clothing. For my mother, it was a time to try to find herself, validate herself through relationships with men, and self medicate her problems with drugs and alcohol. Needless to say – this did not make her the best mother.

I always felt loved and wanted. I think that made all the difference in the world. I knew my biological mother loved me and when I was adopted into a swarm of Sible and Keith family members – it was with enthusiasm, love and an absolute welcome that is still there today. We are legion and I love them back.

Family is not just of blood and bone, it is made of life long commitment to never let you go through life alone.

Some of you have been my friends since before I had my current legal Keith family. You have been with me this whole time and are my family too.

Planning Darla’s first birthday party I get to see the RSVP list and see names that were here for Jackie’s arrival in the world, and names that were here from when I was a child.

I am working on defining what family means, who our family is and mostly – trying to find the time to thank you who have been so faithful to our bond this whole time.

So, here is “another silly question”, what does family mean to you, and what will you do to protect and preserve that bond?