It's funny, people think that getting over your first love is more difficult for some reason, but really, it never gets easier. possibly, even harder. Because each time someone breaks your heart you begin to loose faith more and more, and the hurt never gets easier to deal with, you just know the feeling all too well. All I can say is it will get better. one morning, you will just wake up, and realize that you've moved on, and fully healed, and maybe then you will find the ability to re-open your heart to another.

 I have always tried my best to accept people and love them wherever they are at in life.  I've always had my mother as a great role model and I would definitely have to say I learned acceptance from her.  For as long as I can remember her motto has been, "Different is wonderful...". 

It seems as if some people in my family missed out on this important lesson from her, and now they are failing like you wouldn't believe.  I'm not saying that I'm perfect, I'm sure there has been many a time that I've passed judgement on others.  The point is I try my best not to, I make an effort not to but there are those who focus their whole life on picking out the wrong that others are doing.  Just because you think there is a specific path in life doesn't mean it is always the same for other people.  My biggest pet peeve is pious people who never get off their high horses to examine another view of life. 

I strongly believe that when you judge someone harshly it is only due to the fact that you are embarrased or ashamed of your own humanity, your own shortcomings.  No one is perfect so stop holding everyone to a standard that not even you can reach. Maybe you still believe strongly that someone isn't living their life correctly but that is no excuse to make them feel like an outsider, especially when they are a family member.  Your only job is to love and not judge.  Tough love can't exist without the love portion and actions speak louder than words.  I only hope that someday when I have a family of my own and children that make mistakes that I'll see them as learning experiences and be there with a hand to hold or a hug and not a kick out the door and some nasty words.

    It's not so much that we're afraid of change or so in love with the old ways, but it's that place in between that we fear...It's like being between trapezes. It's Linus when his blanket is in the dryer. There's nothing to hold on to...