Blood family. Heart family.

We stood in the kitchen crying and saying goodbye; men, women and children. Age didn’t discriminate.

We cried tears of appreciation, love and happiness…that we get to love one another, that we ended up living so far away, that we get to come together to share and laugh and celebrate life, that we disperse and influence so many people with the dynamic work we engage in.

We’re business owners, educators, leaders, tradesmen, musicians, teachers, students, administrators, athletes, coaches, editors, caretakers and sales men.

We’re black and white.

We’re educated, inspired, autistic, delayed, challenged, struggling, stubborn, transparent, passionate, intentional, compassionate, aware and real.

And when the autistic one of us, who doesn’t know how to express himself stands in the kitchen crying with the rest and repeatedly asks, “Why, why do we have to say goodbye?” – He gets it.

By blood we’re family. By heart we are too.