Note: this post is discussing my family and no one else. The praise of my family is not a slight to anyone else, though I believe it’s an example we all should strive to follow. ❤️

I grew up thinking that my family was ordinary because it’s all I knew. I thought it was normal for family to be there for each other, to remember each other, to proactively communicate with and support one another.

But I now know it’s extraordinary.

It’s imperfect, as all are, but both my dad and mom’s sides of the family are abnormal in the best possible way.

On my mom’s side, we’ve had family reunions for more than sixty years. We have “Double cousins” because my grandmother and her sister married brothers, making us extra close and unique. They go out of their way to see each other and do things for each other, and for us. I know my extended family and know they would help me if it were needed. They’ve proved it.

On my dad’s side, we were close not only by name (little joke there – my maiden name is Close), but because we were all we had. There was no extended family – just our grandparents, their children, and our cousins, for the most part.

We’ve been through so much together, with a death in all four currently living generations, and we’ve had great joy together. I know they’d do anything for me. They’ve proved it.

I thought it was normal for family to live nearby (in fact, four houses on our street were relatives), and to make it a priority to spend time together whether they lived nearby or not. To perhaps over communicate with one another, filling each other in on what was happening in their lives.

I had no idea that my family was not typical.

I had no idea that I have carried unrealistic expectations as a result. But, I digress.

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Though many would likely argue with me and say this title belongs to theirs, I know I have the best, most generous, supportive parents in the world.

They have proven time and time again that they will do anything for us and our children. They have spent so much time out here with us, helping us, instead of taking vacations. They make a concerted effort to be involved with their grandchildren, despite living a country away. They proactively FaceTime with us to connect with our children and with us.

We are worth their time.

And today, they have yet again shown that they are generous and love to meet our needs without us even asking.

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My dad just drove across the country to bring us their well-loved car so that we will have a second one. Free of charge. Without us asking.

After about a decade of being a single-car (and single-income) family, it has become increasingly difficult to share a vehicle. We’ve made it work, mostly by me playing chauffeur for almost an hour a day, and thanks to Brennan’s kind co-workers for occasional rides.

In this season of so much being out of our control, this helps us regain some. Though it may seem small, this gift reduces our stress level greatly.

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We’ve had a rough couple of years and haven’t felt supported in many ways. We’ve been disappointed time and time again by life and by our unmet expectations. And yet my family (immediate and extended) always comes through. In small ways and big ones. And I’m so grateful.