Love Them... Or Leave Them Alone...

I’ve had the distinct pleasure of growing up in a family full of COMPLETELY INSANE WOMEN. Yea. I mean, I love them. They’ve made life an interesting rollercoaster ride. Now that I am older, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I have learned the art of expression. They’ve also shown me how to laugh at things too soon. Out of my entire family, I was always “too soft.” I cried at the drop of a hat. In fact, my cousins use to have me ask my mom to take us to 7-11 and when my mom firmly declined they whisper to me that I should cry so she would say yes. She always did.

My family has fought with words and fists. Some have gone years without speaking and some talk every day. Like my cousin Unique, who lived a parallel life to mine. We are best friends. However, she’s crazy and we all know it. Or my cousin Monique who used to comb my hair with a toothbrush. I’m not sure if it was used or not. There’s my aunt who buys a new bed every other month and tells use she’s just living her life. Or my uncle who calls me on three-way with his girlfriend just to say they love me. Although, my mom is probably my favorite family member. And not just because she birthed me. Mostly because of what she has taught me through her actions, not words. My mother has a sharp tongue but a beautiful heart. She gives and gives. She’s a lover. Her heart is so kind.

Where am I going with this? Well, I often meet people who wonder how I can be so nonchalant when others are rude or mean or just bipolar without being diagnosed. Well, I have my family to thank for that. They are, in my eyes, the kindest people I’ll ever meet. They are also the craziest. Self included.

Unlike most of my blogs, I have a bit of advice in this one.

LOVE PEOPLE FOR EXACTLY WHO THEY ARE….

OR DON’T.

Often times, we love people for who they could be or who we think they should be. We try to love them out of whatever they are in and that is just not possible. That’s for God. Not man. As I grow, I learn to choose carefully who I let “love” me because not everyone is going to LOVE you. Besides, I don’t want everyone in my space, especially if they don’t have the best intentions.

Now, everyone comes with a level of crazy. It’s just human nature. I have learned to accept the levels of those close to me. I have a friend who expects a lot of my energy. I have a friend who enjoys playing devil’s advocate. I have a cousin who disappears in her own space and stops answering calls. I have a friend that loves hugs and a friend that hates hugs. All of these different people that I am around and sometimes don’t understand yet accept because guess what, I’m either going to love them….or not.