family ties

When I titled this post, I did not mean the ties that men wear. Isn't that silly??
I meant the ties that tie the family together. Not string ties, but emotional ties. the kind that can never, thankfully, broken...because in family ties, we are tied together forever....even when we don't want to be.
That is not the case with me...I very much wanted to be tied to my relatives and family members...my immediate family and my husband's family. they are all equally important and dear to me.
But when you are a widow. you question whether or not his family still loves you even though he is gone.
I know it is crazy to think that way, but, as a widow, you think differently about alot of things that you took so calmly and for granted before that happened.
I also had a problem getting my courage up so that I could be with his family because his brother has so many mannerisms,etc, like my husband had...I had to become strong enough to be around them for a longer time.
I did it. Another milestone in facing fears and terrors...no matter how small or big they tend to be.
I was with his family and they treated me like they always did. there were not rough or tough minutes. there was nothing said that made me sad. there was no feeling that I was not that cherished member of his family that I had always felt before.
I feel as though I have had a huge weight lifted off my shoulders ....and I guess I did...the weight that I had put there.
But now it is gone...and I am thankful for the love that has always been there.
I am thankful for the talks that we had a chance to have...the help that I received from all of them...just everything, in general, that I am secure in his family...that they are still mine...I need them so very much.
I praise God for everyone of them. Thank you, Lord.