We're All Just One Hot Mess, And I Can Live With That

I've been doing a lot of thinking today. Shocker I know. But lately, I can't help but be grateful for my family. My family and I have been through some crazy crap. And we've endured some pretty amazing things. I was thinking about this one time when I learned the hard way that I should never call my brothers the "N" word. Maybe it popped into my head because someone asked me about the scars on my lip. Lets just say that a skateboard thrown at my face taught me a life lesson. When running away from someone, do not run into a room with only one exit..

There was this one time when we were throwing my brother Zach onto the bed and we basically broke all his teeth on the bottom row. It was a team effort on that one. Haha Oh Zach, the most accident prone kid in this family. Well maybe if we didn't throw him on to things he wouldn't have spend 99% of his childhood in a hospital. Always getting stitches and x-rays. Gotta love that kid.

There weren't a lot of enjoyable times growing up. But I can say that a lot of our memories were made when one of us were in trouble. I think I was 8 and I probably lipped off to my mom or something but I got a foot to my butt, twice, and I farted on her foot. Oh sweet potatoes I was embarrassed. I slid down the stairs and hid in my room for the rest of the day. To this day it is known as the "kick kick fart" and everyone gets a good laugh out of it.

The twins and I never got along growing up. Shoot I don't think you can even say we got along in sports. But by hell when we played together no matter how much hated each other once one person messed with my sisters it was game on. I don't know how many times I took a girl out for one of them. Like the time a girl tore Nicole's acl...I remember using one of my 5 fouls to let her know I was the big sister. And Tia when she tore hers... the girl that pushed her... lets just say I have a couple of scars around my elbow from her teeth. haha. I remember one time Tia and Nicole tag teamed up on a girl that elbowed me in the face. They double screened her when I came through and clocked her twice. I couldn't have been more proud. 

But the best of times were when we moved got out of the house. I don't think I have laughed so hard with my family than when we all get together and reminisce all these times. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I don't think that I have ever known any family that quotes movies more than mine... at family gatherings. Not a day goes by that we aren't quoting something... We can quote almost every "scary movie" all of White Chicks, Shrek, and a good handful of others... And we do it in public all the time. We are a nutty bunch. 

But my favorite times have been where we have completely broken down to each other. I think that I have cried to every sibling and both of my parents numerous times, and vise versa. I am not the best one to give advice on anything but I guess that's what makes my family the best. I could be crying over a breakup or a failed quiz or a broken toe and every person says the same thing, you're tough and will get through it, just smile. All of them say this I kid you not!

I don't know if all this thinking and reminiscing is because I miss them or because I'm around 1/2 of them all the time. Between seeing Tia, Mike, and Britt, almost daily...and the crazy family group messages I feel like we're all together. But one thing is for sure, I have no idea what I would do without them. :)

Everyone claims that their family is the best, but mine is the best in their own weird hot messy way. I guess what I'm trying to say is that no matter what we have gone through, hear aches, achievements, or simple everyday tasks, we are always there... whether we want them to be or not. I'm just so lucky that this hot mess of a family is mine!

-MelFlo

*if you get the chance, read This Is Where I Leave You* The movie is good as well.