Roots

 I am curious if anyone has traced the origins of their polyamorous roots?  I think there is immense value in just embracing what is intuitively right when it comes loving for each individual...and also I find value in understanding my roots and how they shape me, wound me, fortify, so I can grow as best I can.  Recently I had this musing.

I was raised by a village.  Weekends at my great grandparents, my mom's best friend had a huge impact on my life, because she reflected creativity, fantasy, and mythology to me.  She sparked my imagination, and our whimsy brains worked in similar ways.  My mom has a different energy....I know that sounds hippy and vague, but it's how comfy I feel describing it.  I received a lot of mentoring from my mom's friends, because my mom didn't match my energy.  I also felt nurtured by my Great Grandpa and my Grandma.  These figures weren't perfect by any means, but the way they loved me was good enough for me.  I was also the eldest of a ratpack of feral sister and cousins.  I led them on forest trespassing through folks' backyards, rafting down our suburban creek.  I loved being able to connect with so many beautiful souls, and I have often felt isolated as an adult.  Mosly because I feel like a weirdo.  When you find your fellow weirdos through community, chosen family, it is soooooo.....meaningful! Community care is such a beautiful thing.  It makes me want to weep sometimes.

And yet...when folks bash on the nuclear family...okay, it doesn't work for you. Yet, I do think we need to allow freedom for each individual to choose how they define family.  If they choose their nuclear family, I am sure there are reasons for that, and as long as they aren't causing harm to others and are choosing a nuclear family, that should be okay too.  I follow a lot of content creators that feel like "eff the nuclear family" and I adore my nuclear family, my partner has had my back with the kiddos more than anyone else in my life.  They are his kiddos too.  I treasure us as a family unit.