My TofJO Family

I just wanted to share a few thoughts today. My family and I have not spoken to each other for years, some my fault and some theirs. There were things that happened and those things were very serious. I have not been able to forgive them to this day. Well, that’s not entirely accurate. I think I have forgiven them, but I cannot bring myself to call them family any longer. This all started back when I was 13 years old when I was kicked out of my home and left on my own. I slept on the streets for two long years before I found friends that today I still call family. During that time I found a resolve to keep going. Today I attribute that resolve to being the Force guiding me. Because this time of year makes one think of family I remember that time of my life. I got past it, grew up, went to college, got married, and now have kids (and grand-kids!) of my own. To this day I cannot imagine the amount of cold malice it must have taken to put out a 13 year old child onto the streets.
A few months ago I found the Temple of the Jedi Order and it has been amazing. The people here, so warm, friendly, and welcoming. The Temple has truly filled a part of my heart that I though was closed off for good after 36 years. I want to thank you all for your kindness, caring, and welcoming of one such as me. Thank you all for being there for me when I had times that I thought my heart would break. To my Master Reliah, thank you most of all. You are a pillar of strength that I lean of and look to for guidance. Even if it is only a kind word, you mean so much to me.
To all of my family at the Temple of the Jedi Order, Happy Anniversary Day, Merry Christmas, or whatever holiday you celebrate may you have the best one ever.
May the Force be with you all!

My online family, I am thankful for my teaching master Wescli for our continued path together and for my Pastor and my Clergy. I am thankful for all of you and your guidance and wisdom. We all grow at our own rate and we are all ALIVE. With your continued help and guidance I can't wait to see where next year brings us!

*Bows

These are lovely..
Thank you, Jack.

it takes much more than just a bond of blood to be family. i posted this on the wall a few days ago, but i think posting it here will be of significance and it will be less likely to get buried...

“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life.”― Richard Bach

now queue up sister sledge's "we are family" :lol:

That's lovely jack

How wonderfully written Jack,

We al come here broken , all of us , however strong we seem , have had their hart broken at some time or have been abandoned like you have been , i cherish therefore this place in my heart for i have found peace here , we think different and we live different but the Love we can share is in great abundance here and i for one am happy to know you and all the other Jedi here !

May the Force be with you all , Always :woohoo: