I can still remember the night at World Race training camp when teams were announced. Jimmy McCarty, the director, stood on stage & with a giant smile on his face said “look around you, these 6 people are your new family.”
At the time, I laughed. There was no way these people would be my family. We were all too different. Sure, I’d like them. I’d do my best to get along with them. Both of which would be in my best interest considering they would be my travel companions for the next 11 months; but, as far as family was concerned- I already had one & was not in search for another.
Even after the race began, the word family was thrown around in reference to my team & each time I brushed it off leaving the terminology for the more cheesy & cliche appreciative of racers. But over the past 7 days, as I’ve sat in my solitude of sickness, I have begun to mull over this idea of family.
Family is a unit of persons established by no appointment of their own. You are, generally speaking, born into your family- it is not something which you have the liberty to select. Within families, personalities clash, opinions differ, altercations occur; but, at the end of the day you still love them. You don’t leave. You don’t run away. When someone messes up, you forgive them. You celebrate with them in the joyous times & support them in the hard times.
Friends come & go; but, family stays. Family is constant.
I’ve wandered aimlessly around this backpacker’s complex for days, trying to identify why I felt so restless. Something was wrong, something was missing. Then, in an instant, I knew. What I felt was longing. I desired so badly to be with my team-my infuriating, irritating, & ever incessant team. Because in their relentless presence there is comfort, guidance, acceptance, growth, laughter, joy, balance, freedom, life & love. With them, I am home.
So count me in. Chalk me up as a lover all things cliche, because I’ve crossed over to the dark side. You might not hear me shouting it from the rooftops (a girls got to maintain some cool); but know that in my heart I have 6 new additions to an already stunning repertoire of family.
Something great I’m learning about the heart is that it’s expandable. There always seems to be room for more.
Stay tuned for the next post when I’ll bring you home to meet the family….
