It's What Our Family Does

Our family is at times goofy, and funny, and strange. We have fun adventures, making memories that get told and retold in a variety of versions. We do things that others might think odd but that we think routine. Through the good times and bad, we've been there for each other. And while we've made each other cry, scream, laugh, and stare in bewilderment, we know we can count on each other.

This was the case on Saturday night when Molly was having tonsillectomy issues and Maribeth was the only family member in town. Having just gotten off work around 10:00 pm-ish, she went to Molly's house, put her in the car, took her to the emergency room, and stayed with her until we got there on Sunday morning. It's what our family does.

It's what Molly did when I had gall bladder surgery last year and she stayed after Steve had gone home. It's what Sam did when he was at Publix and got the call that his mother was headed to the emergency room and came and waited with me while his groceries cooled in his car.

It's what we do when Maribeth calls from Wyoming and says she and Mathieu are stuck in the snow and she doesn't have her driver's license or AAA card. It's what Sam did when I called him in the middle of the night and told him his sister's upset and could he please come over. It's what Steve does when he goes to Redbox for a movie, then Walgreen's for a prescription, then Smoothie King for a smoothie to help Molly through the no-tonsil blues. It's what Lynnette does when she stops in the middle of grading papers to let me back in the house I've locked myself out of.

What is it that we do? It's whatever is needed for a family member at that time. Sometimes it's picking up something, or feeding a pet, or sitting in the hospital, or just listening and being there. It's responding to a call from that part of us that is family. It's that appendage that has a need, and we can meet it.

Family. It's the best and the worst and everything in between. But if you've got one like mine, you'll always know one thing for sure - no matter what, they'll always be there when you need them. Because that's just what we do.