Family, What does it mean?

Family doesn’t always have to be by flesh and blood; My family and I are very close and sometimes others seem to be amazed on how close and many there are of us. In my immediate family there are seven of us: my parents Monica and Robert Chavez, my siblings Hope, Leonel, Emilio and of course my brother-in-law David. Can’t forget my nephew, little David. Also feel like I need to mention my family members. Let’s just say sometimes it feels like there’s 50 of us considering how big it is, at least on my dad's side. Moms on the other hand are much smaller. I like to think that I’m so lucky to have so many siblings as well as having so many cousins, especially on my dad's side. They are my best friends and for me, that isn't easy to do because I have a disability. Even though I don’t let that bother me.

That makes me so blessed to have a big family and with that being said I feel like I should talk about the family traditions and things we like to do. Like once you turn 15 we do a quinceanera. It's a big birthday party and it looks like a wedding without the groom and it's where the girl becomes a woman. Boys can have one too but it's mostly just girls who do them. Another family tradition is when we make tamales for Christmas. Also, I can't forget my family's big parties like Halloween and the Fourth of July as well my aunt (Tia) will always throw candy on the roof. My family is constantly changing and growing so we like to do new traditions. Our new ones have been where everyone brings traditional Mexican food and we have to make it from scratch. This teaches us how to cook and it's so fun! Another new one is Family Fun Day where we have a cookout and play games all day. And if you remember from the 22q podcast my family can get pretty competitive at times. I also love to just spend time with them at our family farm and love to sit with my mom and aunts and watch them play volleyball.

Don't get me wrong we definitely have our moments but family is family no matter what the situation is that is something our grandparents taught and showed us! That is why I love that I can be who I am around them and how they support me in everything I do in my 22q journey. Especially my big brother, he was my biggest fan support in everything I did. If you didn’t know, we recently lost him in a car accident. He was the biggest supporter in our family for everyone. And was always there to show up for us. We miss you so much big bro. Keep watching over us!! Family means the world to me and it’s so different but that’s life things happen. So enjoy your moments with family cause you never know what tomorrow may look like.