When a family

Flesh and Blood, Acrylic, 14 X 17

When a family is all about education and religion,

While you are lost and in search of your own true passions.

The world of academes, you were exposed, yet you ignored,

Didn't care about reading, for there's so much more to explore.

They were far from unproductive, yet they sure were inactive,

Their brains they worked out, though you thought it unattractive.

Following tradition, on Sundays you attended church,

Constant daydreaming, in the pew where you perched.

Trying to understand why to mere humans, we must confess,

Going for mediators, why not go straight to God for forgiveness?

When a family is all about the brain and the spirit,

While in your young mind, you didn't quite inherit.

Their love for learning and their commitment to the religion,

Feeling lost, finding your path through your own perception.

Wondering if you were adopted; if you belong with them;

For why are you so different, perhaps you are a rare gem?

Can you think of the purpose, why you were born into this family,

When you feel so very different, as though you are an anomaly?

Maybe you were meant to be different, so you can help find the balance,

To challenge the status quo, to push them to walk the distance.

When a family's nemesis is constant worry and fear,

Encouraged to be cautious, parental rules you must adhere.

Made to believe that you can get hurt, so you won't even try,

Stay put and be content, don't even dare to question why.

Wishing you'd grew up to a family who was not always fearful,

One who is not overly protective, who would trust life to be blissful.

Have you ever wished you'd grew up with a family of adventurers?

Where you could go out as a family and explore nature's true wonders,

Where you could do fun activities that could bring everyone together,

Where you could breathe the fresh air regardless of the weather.

When a family lacks balance to juggle never-ending priorities,

Yet overflowing with love, with genuine endearing qualities.

Doing the best they knew back then, in any given situation,

Striving hard to strengthen the core, the family's foundation.

Through limiting beliefs, so many opportunities were lost,

Calculated risks you followed, oh but the price that it cost!

You could have explored more and lived your youth to its finest,

Creating unparalleled memories without a hint of slyness.

Having been hurt on the way, but that would make you stronger,

Learning lessons, earning wisdom as our soul's path we conquer!

When a family is all we have, in this life time as we know,

We must try to show compassion, true kindness we must show.

Though we come from one seed, but the fruits are quite individual,

Big or small, juicy or dry, smooth or coarse, some are plain unusual.

Try to understand, in this lifetime we have our own journey,

We all have our paths to trek, some are calm, some are stormy.

Heartaches to address, lessons to learn, sorrows that stings,

Truly, there's no point comparing our lives to our parents or siblings.

Assume positive intent, understand where they come from,

Fears, traumatic pain, embedded beliefs from a past home.

When a family is all we have, at the very end of our days,

No matter what we've been through, at the end we must appraise.

Be thankful and bless all the memories that we have shared,

Including all the challenges, and the dramas that were repaired.

No family is perfect, no matter what others openly claim,

All filled with laughter and tears, some guilts, a few shames.

We may have grown up with different views and perspective,

But in the end, the love is strong, we are united as a collective.

May we learn from the family that we were born and raised into,

Pluck the wisdom and values, the next generation to live anew.