Which is more important:

Family

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by Nachisha Lightsey

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The institution of family has been at the forefront of progress for all societies since the beginning of civilization. Before settling in ancient Mesopotamia humans' were primarily nomads. It wasn't until mankind ceased from wandering the earth and developed communities that the human race multiplied at a rapid rate. The creation and growth of families has allowed the human race to grow from a few hundred to a few billion. Without the structure of society and family setting the blueprint for the perpetuation of the human race, we would all cease to exist. The concept of family is prototype for all growth and progress in this world. Take an apple tree for example which matures a harvest of fruit. The bounty of that harvest eventually produces more trees which in return yields more fruit. Are not those trees and fruit of the harvest connected to each other? How can they not be, the very seeds that matured the second harvest originated from the first tree. Likened to a mother's child giving birth and making her a grandmother.

Consider a pride of African lions that inhabit in the deserts of the Serengeti. The lioness that fulfils the role of mother hunts prey in order for the loin and cubs to eat. The lion whom fulfils the role of father protects his pride from any would be enemies. Are they not family? Does the lioness not instinctively feel connected to her cubs, like a mother's connection to her child? Does the lion not protect his pride, like a father protects his wife and children? The truth is these instincts belong to different species of animals but are the same in essence. To this day, the growth of generations is the strength of life and progression on earth.

Often in times of stress and despair I reflect on the sweet memories of my childhood. I catch myself smiling at the image of going to church with grandma on Sunday morning and family dinners after church Sunday afternoon. You see, my childhood was filled with family reunions and road trips with cousins, aunts and uncles. My family, immediate and distant has always been such a pinnacle part of my life and I couldn't imagine them not being there. A good family will annoy and downright infuriate you at times, but they are the people who carry a piece of you in their very being. Now, not all families are perfect, in fact, most of them are a mess. However, it is still the family that holds together the seams of civilization and provides a platform for all human kind.

Money on the other hand is simply a creation of man to determine value on goods, etc. The love of money is prevalent in this evil world but do not mistake its importance. A person can live without a good life without money, but no one can live a good life without family.

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