Do you ever have those types of people in your life? You know, the ones who make your life interesting and unique? The ones who matter most to you? The ones whose relationships you value?

Family and friends are those people!

It is not true of every family and of every person, but to most, they are. Family and friends are blessings in disguise. You may not always see it and sometimes, you would rather not see it as such! They either fill you with joy and laughter or frustration and tears. They either are excited to see your face or would rather not see you at all. No matter which way the table turns or the cookies crumble, they are blessings in disguise.

How is that? Well, let me tell you my experiences.

I live with a family of five at home (Mom, Dad, me, younger brother and younger sister). Mom is the one I go to if I have a question about work, what food we have, or if I just want to go for a walk and talk. Dad is the one I go to if I need something fixed, a problem with technology (which frustrates me sometimes, so I let him handle it), or if I just need him to make me laugh (pretty much everyday). My brother, who is the middle child, is the one who likes to intentionally scare me, have nerf gun battles with, and play outdoors. My sister, who is the youngest and has the age gap between us (six years), is the one who loves to have her radio on loud, create works of art, and watch Scooby-Doo.

The experience came on June 2, not that long ago. I started my first job on May 16 and was nervous, but quite enjoying it. I am a direct care worker and I go to older people's houses, helping them with whatever chores need to be done. The morning did not go as I liked and left with a feeling of hurt. It came back to get me later in the day when my mom asked how my morning went. I found myself crying on the sofa next to my mom. She gently hugged me, then as my sister came upstairs, my mom asked her if she would give me a hug. Before I knew it, my sister had her arms gently wrapped around me in a loving hug. We just sat there for several minutes in that same position. What love I did feel in my heart that I almost cried more! To know that my sister, despite our frequent disputes, loved me this much with a kind gesture, was a blessing beyond words.

When I started my freshman year at Cedar Crest College in August, 2015, I had no idea that the friendships I would develop over the course of those months would mean the world to me. The people in my dorm and in my classes were complete strangers! When I found my strength, I went and introduced myself to these strangers and that is when friendships formed. Never did I realize I would surround myself with wonderful people who accepted me for me. What an amazing feeling to have!

It was a Sunday evening in mid-October when I finally met up with a new friend for dinner. We had been liking each others posts on Facebook, saying we would pray for each other, and chatted via messenger for several weeks before we decided we should meet in person. After meeting her at her dorm, we walked over to the dining hall and ate. As we ate, we told each other our testimonies, which made us both nervous, but also excited! Our friendship became a huge blessing and I would not trade it for the world.

Maybe you have had similar, yet different experiences. Maybe it was a time when you just needed a hug from a friend. Maybe a family member said or did something that touched your heart. Whichever way it may go, family and friends are like angels sent to earth just at the right time when you need them. They are truly a blessing in disguise.