Family Portrait

The saying goes You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family.   I guess that depends on you define family.

Maybe it’s because I never had children, I could never see my family as the person I was living with.  As if a family has to be made up of a certain number and configuration of people to make it legitimate.  Or maybe it’s because for me I’ve always associated the word family with obligation and duty.

It’s only within the past months that I began to think of me, Jon, the animals we live with, and the land we live on as family.  And actually “think” is the wrong word.  It’s more of a feeling, not in my heart, but just below my belly.

Yesterday Jon put up a picture of me and Fate and Zinnia and called it a family portrait.

I too took a family portrait during that walk.  In it, I can see Jon’s connection to Zinnia and Fate, his love of working with them, the ease between them and their comfort in the woods together.

In it, I can see my new idea of the word family. 

6 thoughts on “Family Portrait

  1. What a beautiful picture of your Family! I love the colors from the leaves on the ground. The pups are very attentive to Jon!

  2. I was single for most of my life and felt I was alone in the world until I read Caroline Knapp’s book a Pack of Two about her life with her dog. At the time I had just been given a golden retriever pup. Reading that book I came to the realization that I could create a family with my pets and now that I think of it after reading your post with my garden and home as well. Thank you for reminding me of how special that time was.

  3. I love this photo especially the way the pups are looking so lovingly at John..
    I lost my third rescue Sadie in March and it really left a Big hole in my heart ❤️
    Patiently waiting for my next fur baby..
    I really enjoy your website..
    Aloha Teri ☮️

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