| The Importance of Family Support By Coleen Mitchell After debating the subject of " What is a family?" with my husband I have decided to let whom ever reads this make their own decision of "What is a family?" to you. Whatever the Family represents to you one common thread should be support within the family unit. This support should include emotional, economic, growth and loyalty within the unit. In our busy lives that include work, school, hobbies, sports etc., we tend to take for granted our most precious commodity, the family. It is only when we encounter trouble do we realize how important this unit is to us. The foundation of how we make our decisions should always have the family unit's success and happiness be first and foremost factor. On a personal note, there was a time when I thought my success in work was so important to the success of my family, I became totally wrapped up in it. Unknowingly, what happened was my family became second on my priority list, with work coming first. It was only when a serious problem at work threatened my own well being, that I realized what I had done. Much to my amazement, my family was waiting there for me, ready to pick me up, dust me off and support me through the crisis. In hind sight though, that's what unconditional love is all about. As a member of a family I know I will be waiting if any of my family needs me, ready to offer the support they offered me. The latter experience also taught me that of all the roles the contempory adult takes on, none is more important than being a member of a family. I now always consider my family before I make any decisions. In the grand scheme of things what would you want to be remembered for; being able to meet that deadline at work.... or being a part of a group that supports and nutures each other providing an environment that encourages personal growth. I know what I would want. |