Our first circle of support comes from our small family units where we feel a sense of belonging and in the best case scenario we are loved just for being a part of the whole. Ultimately family members move out into the world and form new relationships and seek new means of self expression... it seems to be the natural order of the human journey. We leave the safety of the nest, test our wings, and connect with others who share in our system of belief. We seek the love and comfort in which we feel validated for our uniqueness.
Sadly, some of our earliest bonds get strained and broken by the choices and direction of our emerging communal self. Just as the earth breaks up with quakes, and angry storms destroy landscapes, human anger and hostility creates even far more damage than Mother Nature could ever dish up. And so family units disintegrate, new alliances are formed, and the clearness and comfort of the family window crashes into pieces.
Often the pieces can be mended and glued back into place, but as the next storm approaches and the hot winds pick up, the mended pieces break loose, smash again and again until all that is left is sharpened shards. At this point, you are faced with a simple question ... is this window even worth fixing? I think not.
Sometimes you must just cut your losses, grieve over what was and what could have been, and refocus on the meaning of family... namely those who love and support you in spite of what you believe.
