Family of Friends

For we are a family, a family of friends.

As I sit here in bed after another  Ecuadorian day (they are finally normalizing... YIPPIE!) a word is bouncing around in my mind... family. What does it mean to me? Who is my family? Is this exclusive? The questions are endless... so I turn to a classic dinner time reference material for my family... the dictionary. My computer dictionary defines it as: A group consisting of parents and children living together in a household. But this just doesn't seem to fit what I was looking for... so I turn to another reference source (okay its pushing it to call it that) Urbandictionary.com. I like this definition a lot better. One user defines it as:people you love and love you back, not necessarily blood or biological, but you trust them and they trust you, and they take care of you and you take care of them.

While being here I have come to realize that family is more than just my mom, dad, skye, sue, and extended family. I have many families all through out my life and they are each amazing in there own special way.

My immediate biological family: My mother, father, sister and Sue have done more in my life then they can ever know. Just during this trip they have stuck with me through skype break downs, technology problems, inconsistent schedules, family changes and so much more. They are always there to tell me how much they love me when they know that is what I need to hear or to tell me that what I am doing is awesome and to enjoy every minuet of it if they know that making me think of home is going to be to hard at that moment. They are wonderful and are always with me whatever i am doing here.

My extended biological family: As many of you know my many aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents are almost, if not as, close to me as my immediate family. Many of them have been mer 5 miles from me my whole life. I have spent almost as much time at their houses as at my own. They have toothbrushes saved for me because the insto-overnight is a common experience. I know how to feed their animals and where the good hiding spaces in their houses are. While I have been here I have received uncountable letters and well wishes from them. They are always my family and I love them all. From Madison to Edgerton to Stoughton to Philly, I love my extended family!

My Ecuadorian family: This is the family that has started this whole thought process because, as little as I thought it was possible, I now call two other people in my life Madre and Padre (more often ma and pa, but thats beside the point). They have taken me under their wing and put up with my horrible spanish and strange american costumes. They tell me when I do something that is considered rude in Ecuador and they put food in my belly and a roof over my head. They laugh with me and tell me stuff just like they would tell a normal sister or daughter. They make me do chores and they make me smile. I don't worry about being strange around them and who cares if they see my crazy bed head. They are my family and they will always always always have a special place in my heart. I can never repay them for what they have given me and for accepting me into their family as one of their own. They have even joked about me changing my name to Eleanor Greenler Cabezas Garzon, that would be a mouth full thats for sure. Thank you for everything Familia Cabezas Garzon. Te Quiero Mucho.

My camp family: This is what we like to refer to as a family of friends. And dang they are about as close to family as you can get with out being blood related. Last year I spent over 1/12 of my year with them. Living in small little canvas tents and sharing everything from showers to vans. They have been great support all through out my journey here. They were there for me when I told them (the first of all my friends) that I was off to Ecuador for a year. They comforted me when i had break downs because they were lucky enough to get me for the whole month before I left where all the stress and second guessing ensued. And they are here for me now, I skype with them when the times present them selves and have great (crazy long at points) pen pal relationships with others going on as well. Whatever it does, they always make me smile and I think of them as I find my self absent mindidly doodling song lyrics into the margins of my physics text book or drawing the lake in my math work book. Cause we are a family a family of friends and our love it never ends.

My Quaker family: Don't worry guys I would never forget you (I mean heck you include my wife, I think she counts as family...). Whatever I do, where ever I go, these guys are always here to support me. I have received countless cards from AYFers, Adults Friends, and High Schoolers alike and each one makes me beam from ear to ear. There are days when I need a little boost so I take a card from one of my dear Friends off the wall and re read it. It always makes me smile. From frantic emails sent out asking for advice to skype dates where day dreaming/freaking out about the future ensues, these wonderful people have been here for me when I need it the most and I can never repay them for that. Thank you Friends.

My AFS family: While being here I have acquired a family that I was not expecting to be a large part of my experience, but they have been. My gringo family. These wonderful people from around the world have been thown into the small town of Guaranda with me and that in its self is a crazy undertaking. We have been here for each other through family changes, cultural fumbles, sibling annoyances, and language barriers (some times communicating from Flemish to Spanish to English!). Pretty much you guys are awesome and this year would be a heck of a lot different without you. I love out long rambles though Guaranda or afternoon coffee at 7 santos or birthday pizza. I was so lucky be added to this family.

So there you have it guys, it started out as more of a journaling thing and then turned into a shout out for all the wonderful families I have in my life. Thanks for everything, I could not be doing this with out you.

Livin' on the loose.