Belong (Five Minute Friday)

On Fridays, we gather over at Lisa-Jo's and write from the heart. Five minutes of whatever flies out of your fingers. The rules are simple -
1. write for 5 minutes flat. No editing, backtracking, over-thinking, on whatever the prompt of the week is.
2. link up and invite others to join
3. visit the brave soul who linked before you and leave a comment. Share a thought. Give an encouragement boost. That's the heart of the Five Minute Friday community. You never know who's day you'll make, and what you'll learn about your own heart along the way.

Got it?  Come on and write with us. This week, we're all cranking out 5 minutes on

BELONG

 Go.

Belonging is something I've struggled with the past 4 years, as my world - my role - my life has been redefined. I never doubted where I belonged growing up. With my family was the easy answer, and they're a fun-loving soul-loving bunch, my family. Lots of laughter, hugs through the tears and the joy, and solid staunch supporters of their own every step of the way.

Four years ago my life took a big whopping detour that I never expected. Hit me out of the blue and to this day, I still can't see everything , even in hindsight, that led to the place I am now. A marriage that blew apart wasn't on my list of journey points along the way. And as I learned who I was all over again, now a single mom of two, instead of a part of a different whole, it was hard to piece where I belonged into my mind. I'd been defined for more than 10 years as a part of that relationship. And sacrificed a lot of who I was to be a part of that. Take that away, and "Who am I?" became a journey.

As I sit here 4 years down the road, I am thankful. Rejoicing, that I will always belong to my family. My family may look a little different, with one person no longer in the fold. But the fold I started with, the ones that have had me from the beginning, are still there wrapping me up in the laughter, hugs, and standing with me as I conquer the new journey one day at a time. And with two littles added in to the mix, the fold still grows stronger, despite the one who walked out and didn't look back. And I'll never not belong to them.

Stop.

P.S. This week, we're celebrating an extra belonging, as Lisa-Jo has added "belonging to America" officially in her world. Congratulations, dear friend, on your citizenship - I am delighted to call you an American sister in addition to us being sisters in Christ.  I am thankful for you and the journey that has led us to be friends.