I found a picture the other day that includes my father at about 8 months of age. He just had his 89th birthday, so you know the picture is a few years old. It shows my dad, his older sister, their parents, and my dad's half brother. The interesting thing is the way they are seated. My dad is on my grandmother's lap, slightly to the left of them, but very close and facing the same direction is my Uncle. My aunt is also slightly to the left of them, and seems to be sitting on a stool. Significantly to the left of this little group, and facing in the opposite direction is my grandfather. It looks like a happy family group plus this afterthought man over in the corner. Having known most of these people, and having heard about my grandfather (who died when my dad was 15) I don't think this picture is an accurate representation of their relationships, but to someone outside of the family it would look odd.

Our families, no matter how we define them, are very important to our growing and maturing as children, and to our sanity and survival as we age. In scripture we are told to honor our father and mother, but I have found that over the years and as we move around lots of people enter our lives and become family for us. They build us up, they support us, they help us when the chips are down, and without them we would not be who we are.

Abba, you have shown us how to care for one another, and we rejoice in your love. We thank you for those who come into our lives as family, whether or not we are actually related. Thank you for those who have taught us, loved us, supported us, and for those for whom we have been family. May we always remember to love others as you have loved us.

The long, dark winter of our discontent is coming to an end. OK, maybe a bit dramatic, but this has been the longest, most relentless winter I can remember. I remember some that had more snow, some that were colder, some with more ice, but all of these were weather events that came and went in just a week or two. This year the bad weather seemed to go on forever.

But the robins have returned. Soon the Swallows will return to Capistrano, and the Buzzards to Hinckley. My neighbor has brought his lawn furniture out and put it on his deck. Jackets and heavy coats are being cleaned. My cats are shedding like mad. It is as though the whole northern hemisphere is taking a collective big breath and sigh of relief. No, not everything is hunky-dorey, but it feels like a big weight has been removed, and we can rejoice.

New every morning is your love for us, and our rejoicing in you, O God. We rejoice this day as Spring begins to take over where winter has so long held us. We rejoice to see the flowers pop their heads above the ground and the birds begin to return from their wintering places. We rejoice as we work our way through Lent and are drawn ever closer to you. Lift us up, and open our eyes that we might see the wonders of your creation.