Breaking Up A Family...

We met Sunday night, just a few of us, in a room. A family...an awfully big family, but a family nonetheless.

That's when we learned they're breaking up the family.

I live in a small-ish community in Utah. Utah is, for lack of a better word, unique, especially when it comes to religion. One particular religion is so prevalent in our little town that almost everyone claims membership (or, at one point did...). When you're talking tens of thousands of people, that creates a logistical situation. Not everyone can attend church at the same time--the building's not that big. 

Because there's so many members, congregations must be split into smaller groups. These groups become family, a spiritual family. You see them on Sundays and because they're your neighbors, you see them during the week. We come to love these people. And, why not? They're family.

Since change is the only real constant, time came where the family must be split. We've outgrown our home and so changes must be made. This weekend, we found out what those changes are. We knew changes were coming, but not what they were. Now we know.

I've lived in this little town for almost fifty years. In that time I've lived through several boundary changes. It's never easy. I was sure we would be split off, added to a new family where friendships would be made, relationships started, bonds formed.

Yes, changes were made, but we stayed with our adopted family (adopted back in the late 1970s...). Others were not spared from the boundary change. They'll be the ones making new friends as their new family forms. 

Families have issues. Families have struggles, but they also have memories and special moments. The family gathered Sunday night to hear of the changes. Some left relieved, but sad. Others left nervous and heartbroken, just like any family...the unknowns are what make life interesting.