by Peggy Lindgren

Created on: July 18, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

We are a community of people who thrive on the relationships in our lives. Our relationships bring us joy, happiness and sometime, even pain. We allow ourselves to experience these emotions because without taking the risk, our lives are empty and lonely. The people in our lives complete us. I believe when we love, we get so much more in return and the easier we love, the happier we can be. There are people in my life that without them, I would not be who I am.

This person is not a blood relative but she is close enough to be. The relationship feels like family; is chosen like friends. I met her years ago when she was just a teenager and troubled in her family life. She had graduated high school and enlisted in the military to escape her current situation. We had little contact during her military service but we reconnected a few years later.

We lived thousands of miles apart and still do today. Yet, I am the mom/big sister she never had and she is the daughter/little sister, I never had. I am Nana to her two beautiful daughters and take my role in their lives as seriously as if I was their natural grandmother. I have come to realize that a relationship does not have to be natural to have the capability of being family. I understand the depth of love that is available to anyone willing to open his or her hearts to one another. Our bond is as genuine as humanly possible; our mutual respect and love for one another is as strong as my natural family relationships are.

This relationship has developed over the years into one that I cherish. She is twelve years younger than I am. There is no one that fills a mother role for her, so there are times when I can be that for her. She has allowed me to care for her and she has shown great concern and devotion to my immediate family and me.

This relationship has been for us, truly a gift. We never argue; we make the effort to see one another as often as possible and this connection has brought great joy to our lives. It contributes to the completion of my immediate family.

Since many years have passed since we first met and the years have brought us closer, no amount of distance can separate our lives, and this relationship is a true blessing to each of us. We travel to visit as often as possible and speak several times a week. The effort is mutual and we have shared some wonderful memories.

People come and go in our lives; this is simply the way life is. When we build a relationship that stays connected through distance and time, we create bonds that last a lifetime. In many ways, I wanted to write this to pay a tribute to this special person in my life. I believe just as it is with an adoption, it is not\required to share the same bloodlines. What is essential is to share the love, build memories and treasure them always.

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