Mark Twain once wrote, “Familiarity breeds contempt—and children.”  Unfortunately, sometimes this is true, being part of a family can be difficult.

In a family with six siblings, including myself, bickering was a daily issue.  We fought over toys, chores, T.V. shows, games, and even fought over whom we would play with.  By the time I reached my high school years, there were moments when cutting my family ties seemed like a good idea.  After all, who needs them?  They’re little spies who stole my clothes, and left the room I just cleaned ten minutes before a disaster.

Now older, with children of my own, I’ve come to realize the importance of family.  No, it’s not because my siblings and I can now sit around “Kumbaya-ing”.  With six very different personalities, we seldom agree, but they are the shelter from the weathering storms of life.  The safety net I fall into when disappointment knocks me off-balance.  The support beams holding up the foundation of who I am.  They know all of me, in a way the outside world never will.  Even though sometimes it might be easier to strangle rather than hug my brothers and sisters, I love them in a way the word falls short of expressing.

Before you slam the door on that little sibling peeking in your room again, remember this.  Friends are nice—I have had many—unfortunately, most will be fleeting, and not because you don’t like them anymore.  Their path in life simply took them away from you.  But that sibling driving you crazy right now, will always be your family.  The most exclusive club you’ll ever be apart of, no matter how many miles separate you.