What Use To Be...

 What Used To Be....

 http://ryanaweaver.com/files/2013/03/stick-family.jpgn

What used to be, would be considered a family.
What used to be, is treasured by all and many.
What used to be.... is no longer.
Even though I used to whine and complain over silly little things, such as running inside a thousand times when we had a bbq to get the things forgotten- forks, drinks, or ice; I appreciated the love, the closeness, and the existence of our large community of people that made up a family. I appreciated being able to proudly say that although our family wasn't exactly normal or anywhere near close to perfect, we all knew and practiced the importance of being together.
I now realize that all of the memories I now have of this family, are only that- memories. There will be no more kid scrambles for Easter eggs, no more five o'clock wake up calls for Santa. The porch light will remain dark on the night of the 31st, and the tables that once provided the extra space for our large family will remain collecting dust in the basement. The headquarters of this community where family once gathered will continue to slowly wither away along with any and all hope of having once was becoming once is again.
What do I make of this unfortunate event?
I make that no one else will experience the kingdom that once remained outside of the safe protection of our little blue house on the hill. Killer hill will no longer have any more victims, mud will remain unsettled, snow will remain untouched. No more mud pies will be made, no more snowballs will be thrown. No dirt will adventure deep into innocent skulls, no more seeds will be sown. Such simple little things, with meaning beyond control.
So I suggest, before its too late, to appreciate and mend any family that is left, because before long, all of this will be completely gone.