The very first thought that came to my mind when I read the topic for this week was whether to stick to the technical definition of family or to follow my own definition. After lots of thought, I decided that since this is my family, and hence my post, it has to be my definition of family. :)
I think everybody has their own definition of what family is. My definition is rather simple - Individuals who have made my life (both personal and professional) what it is today, and without whom life just wouldn't be the same. So, my family includes my parents, some of my cherished relatives (I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but it holds true), a handful of friends who would do anything to see me happy (and vice versa) and some of my professional colleagues/mentors who have helped me make a career for myself. This is not a huge family at all, maybe just under a dozen, but I couldn't have asked for a better one. And since this is such a motley crew, I won't classify them further. Instead, I will jump into telling you why I am thankful to have them around.
I was born a premature baby, someone about whose survival the doctors weren't really optimistic about. But there were 2 people who believed that I will (no points for guessing who), and I did. Maybe they did it by default, but I know they did it with all they had. Even today, if I am unwell, I see the worry in my mom's eyes and I know that even if the entire world turns against me, there will be one person who will still love me the way she always has. Dad, on the other hand, is more of a silent spectator. He has his flaws as a person, but as a father, he has done more than what I would have done if I was in his place. If reincarnation is a real thing, I want the same parents next time round. Period.
People talk about 3 AM friends, and how one should consider themselves lucky if they have one. I have been having them even before I knew of that phrase. Needless to say, these are the friends I made early on in life, in my formative years. We have been through thick and thin, happiness and grief (and yes, at times, we have given grief to each other as well) but the bond remains strong as ever. With some of these, I am in touch only via email (that too, once a month or so) but I know that whenever we get in touch, we simply pick up from where we left last time and carry on as if we never stopped. It takes a rare fortune to have people like these around, and I am thankful for their presence in my life.
One generally does not expect colleagues/professional mentors to be counted as family, perhaps because we have this vague belief that work is not life. Well, considering that we typically spend at least 30% of our lives working, I would say that work is indeed life, and colleagues can be family. A couple of colleagues (who then grew into real good friends/mentors) are examples of this. These are my mirrors, so to say - unafraid to show me exactly where I am goofing up and always being there for me whenever I feel lost or unsure. More than anything else, work was not a place where I expected to forge friendships, which makes it all the more special.
That is it - a few words about the people I call family. I could go on and on, but then, to me, family is not about words, it is about actions. Also, the next post will be about a family member. So, off I go. Stay happy, stay grateful. :)
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