North Laurel's Musings: When All You Need is Family…

by Heidi Kreider

We stood together, just the six of us. On a day when we buried one, we huddled... holding and upholding. When others said...we'll be there. I said... no. All I wanted, all I needed was my family. I gathered them around me... my parents, my man, and my kids together. It was enough.

Family... that group of people who are defined by blood lines, and maybe more. Sometimes those closest to our hearts do not share the same family tree. We cannot chose our relations but we can choose to redefine the term family to include those who are closest to us. Those we live life with... the ones to whom we cling when the storms of life roar and the winds threaten to overflow us.

I am blessed with an amazing family. As I grow older and slightly wiser, I have learned to count that amazing family as a gift. I now recognize it's rarity. I also know that I have friends who are as close to me as my sisters. I've learned to count them as family and as gifts. They are equal but different treasures to my heart.

Recently, I wrote a novel about family and friendship, life and loss... The Secret of Counting Gifts and an accompanying journal, The Secret of Counting Gifts Gratitude Journal. Both volumes have been released and are now available through Amazon.com

The Secret of Counting Gifts is the story of Kris McClintock and Liz Bower and their friendship that spans twenty-eight years. Through marriage, babies, and infidelity they stand by each other and hold one another up... until breast cancer delivers the final blow. As she sits by Liz, Kris recounts the trials and blessings that made them who they are. She tells their story and recalls the many "gifts" they have been blessed with throughout the years. She shares of how Liz taught her to notice the gifts in each day and to live with a grateful heart. It is through the telling of their story that the secret of counting gifts is discovered....

Throughout this month, I'm on a virtual book tour, meeting up with bloggers and talking about friends and family, life and loss. You can see the stops along the way at www.heidikreider.com. Come on over and say "Hey!" and register for my giveaway... autographed copies of The Secret of Counting Gifts and The Secret of Counting Gifts Gratitude Journal in a hand-made basket, made my lovely friend, Anne.

All those years ago, my family stood with me as we buried our stillborn son. Who do you have stand with you when you face loss? Do you have friends who are as close to you as family?

Heidi Kreider