Family... Or something like it....

I'm writing a book.

It's called family... or something like it and it's not really working out all that well.  Reason being - I can't find a focus for the book yet.  I know it needs to be a discussion of family and what it means through the use of short, meaningful stories.

I have a section about my dead uncle.  I section about my awesome grampa.  A section about "my girls" who are like my family.  I have weird, random anecdotes about my mom's side of the family.  A section about kids who are like little siblings to me.  And the weird part is - I can't allow myself to put on paper who some of my "family" is.  I shouldn't be ashamed or afraid.  But when writing non-fiction (that you want to get published), it's terrifying to write about people who aren't truly your family and hope your "real" family reads it and is ok with how much you love people as "family."  

Recently, I was involved in an interview at my current job.  My boss is like another father to me and his son and daughter work for us.  My best friend works for us.  And one of my good friends who I call "Mommy" works for us.  During the interview (which was of a friend of mine), my boss said, "Yes, we basically hire all of our extended family to work here."  And I feel the same way.  The people I work with really are like my family.  But I really have no way to put into words how much these people are like family.

And it gets even more complex than that.  For the last two years, I've gone on a few vacations.  And so have my parents and siblings.  Funny thing - I didn't go with my parents and siblings.  I went with my best friend (Jonathan) and his family.  I don't remember the last time I saw my mom's side of the family, but saw Jonathan's last summer - for three weeks.  I'm in love with his family.  I do get to see my family and his family this summer (which is awesome), but it's just weird that I'm visiting two separate families and going on one vacation and am not married or dating anyone.

And it gets weirder.

I'm adopted.  So none of these people are biologically my family anyhow.

AND WEIRDER...

Jonathan and his dad and I are always together.  Moreso Jonathan and I.  But his dad is quite frequently with us and we love him to death.  On weekends, we spend a lot of time with his dad and his dad's girlfriend (Angela).  Pete calls us "a little family" (which, of course, includes Brooklyn the dog).

I'm not really sure what family is.  I think that's why I'm so stumped, confused, and slow about my book.  I consider so many people like family that I don't really have a family.  I could have a "Kristen Family Reunion" and it would be awesome, but so many people would have to meet each other, it would almost be stressful for me.

Yeah.  The concept of family is weird.  Thus the "...or something like it" in my title.