May 15th is International Day of Families [PHOTOS]

According to Wikipedia, The International Day of Families is observed on the 15th of May every year. The Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, and reflects the importance the international community attaches to families. The International Day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.

Each year the UN also selects a motto for this day.  Here are a few from the most recent years:

2018 - "Families and inclusive societies"

2017 - "Families, education and well-being"

2016 - "Families, healthy lives and sustainable future"

My family is my lifeline.  We have been faced with challenges and great loss, but we continue to thrive and to love.  I am the middle child of 5.  I am the nurturer, the pleaser.  I'd like to say that it's my position in my family because of where I was born, but I think I would have turned out this way anyway.

My brothers and sisters were my first friends.  David, the oldest, is now the head of our family.  We lean on him for guidance and for wisdom.  He's always been the calmest of our family and we are so grateful for his leadership after the loss of our Mother.  Larry, who shares a birth month with me is next in line.  I'm not gonna lie, when I was growing up, I did not care for him at all.  He was the mean older brother, but as we continued to grow up, I came to love him so much.  We worked together in a family business for a few years and I looked forward to seeing him several times a week and just visiting.  He has great insight and a great head for business. Linda, who is 15 months younger than me is the most driven woman alive.  She sets her mind to do great things, and she gets them done.  To call her amazing is actually a slight to how great she really is.  I adore her, and am grateful for the relationship that developed while our Momma was sick.  Denise is the baby of the family.  Some babies of the family are spoiled rotten.  I don't believe that to be the case with Denise.  I would call her Blessed.  She had the experience of her older siblings to keep her out of trouble and she had the house and our Mom and Dad to herself for a few years before she left home.  She also is honored to be the Momma of a Down Syndrome Adult who is the joy of our whole family!

My own little family is not so little anymore.  I have two children who have each made their own way in the world.  They married the exact person that God had chosen for them, and made wonderful families all their own.  Grand-babies: I have four.  The Bigs, McKayla and Lucas has Nana completely wrapped.  They have made me into a different person.  I never knew that I could love little people so much.  They continue to grow and continue to teach me what it means to watch your heart walking around on the outside of your body!  Now to my Littles, McKenna and Tristan.  They are both 1 and a few months old.  They are completely different in temperament.  McKenna is fiesty and spoiled rotten.  She is headstrong and strong willed and lets you know if she is unhappy!  Or if she doesn't want to do something, OR if she wants to do something that you won't allow.  She lets you know LOUD!  Tristan, is my last grand baby (so far).  She is tiny and quiet, but she is adventurous.  She is a lover or animals and her Mama and Gaga and of course her Dada.  She's just started talking and walking and the world is her oyster.  I can't even begin to tell you how much those baby hugs mean to this Nana. Then came James.  My hero, my rock, my partner in crime.  We are just having the best time being best friends!

Family.  Local or across the country, at home or abroad, they are so vital to my life everyday.  I'd have to day that includes my work family as well.  We have been to battle for each other and our station and the time spent together is some of the best times.

Happy International Family Day!  I hope you get to spend it with some of your family today.