added and erased

"The wedding is off." With that sentence she was erased from the family. How fragile the modern family has become. She was to be my sister-in-law. Though not officially, she had been part of the family for eight years. In that time, two brothers-in-law have been added and erased. Even I was almost erased.

Additions in my own family are likely. By the end of this year I will probably have a stepmother and two stepbrothers. I haven't even met them yet, but they will be family. A change in one relationship affects so many others.

We weren't great friends, but we were family. I love her. I miss her.

Jessica

Smith Family Member 1998-2006