I love the show Modern Family and I watch it every chance I get. What's not to love about it? Modern Family is well-written and funny, it has interesting characters, relatable story lines, and the right balance of funny and touching moments.
But I find that every time I watch Modern Family it makes me very sad. Every time I watch the show, it makes me wish I had those strong family bonds.
Growing up, we weren't a close family. Both my parents were alcoholics and while they did the best they could, they weren't very affectionate or kind. We didn't say "I love you" in my house; there was no hugging or any of that other "touchy feely" stuff, as my mother would call it.
When I watch Modern Family, I find myself wishing that I had that kind of family dynamic; the kind where people really love and care for each other, and look out for each other. I love the way the show blends, so beautifully, this mix of people that found each other and care for one another in such a deep way.
I realize, by the way, that this is just a TV show, but I know real-life families that operate this way, and it makes me wish that I had this in my life.
My sister and I are close, and I'm grateful for that, but at just 48, my sister is not in good health and I worry that if something happens to her, I won't have any family left.
My father has passed, and though my mom is still around, we have a very strange mother/daughter relationship. I love my mom (because she's my mom) but I wouldn't say that we are incredibly close, the way some of my friends are with their moms.
My nephew is in his early 20s and establishing his own life. I was incredibly proud when he landed his first job out of college, but sad that while I am here in Philadelphia, he is now living in Oklahoma.
I've also been blessed in life with amazing and wonderful friends who are like family to me, even though we don't share the same DNA.
I am grateful for my family, and I certainly don't want to give the impression that I don't appreciate having them in my life, or that somehow they are not "enough." I suppose at the root I just have a desire for a closer family unit than the one I currently have.
The funny thing about families is that we all have different experiences with ours. Whether you are part of a large family or a small one; one that is geographically close or one that is spread far apart; or, if your family is made of people who aren't biologically related to you, but that you love as if they are, if you have a group of people that you consider family, that's a really amazing thing to have.
I cherish my family and enjoy the time we get to spend together. Through thick and thin, or good times and bad, it's great to know that you have people in your corner to love you, support you, and care about you.
If you're lucky enough to have that, may I venture to say, you may just be lucky enough.