We Are Family

As sung by Sister Sledge

(CHORUS:)
We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up ev'rybody and sing

Ev'ryone can see we're together
As we walk on by
(FLY!) and we fly just like birds of a feather
I won't tell no lie
(ALL!) all of the people around us they say
Can they be that close
Just let me state for the record
We're giving love in a family dose

(CHORUS x2)

Living life is fun and we've just begun
To get our share of the world's delights
(HIGH!) high hopes we have for the future
And our goal's in sight
(WE!) no we don't get depressed
Here's what we call our golden rule
Have faith in you and the things you do
You won't go wrong
This is our family Jewel

(REPEAT CHORUS TO FADE)


I have been reminded more than once that in the past it has been the three Hugheys - Mom, Barry and me- who stood alone, separate from the rest of the family. We were ostracized by family members and we isolated ourselves because we did not fit in with them. Then, Mom and Barry decided that they would not allow the others to treat them in such a way. Me? I continued to boycot family gatherings because I really didn't want to hear how I failed to measure up to their standards. I sought out others.

Today I will be with the other two Hugheys- Mom and Barry. I hope I can make it though the day without losing my temper or hypervenilating. I have not been in Mom's home for more than 30 minutes at a time since Joey left. The guilt ate at me. The shame almost buried me. The anger and resentment of having to do so much for two people so needy took my life. So, I walked away from the responsibilty and as a result am viewed as lower than low by my mother's family. I was still around for small things but I refuse to go back to being totally responsible. I signed them up for every service that was available to them. I couldn't take care of myself for a period of time and thus, was unable to take care of them.

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I spent a little over an hour at my mother's house. She said we'd have to do this again soon. I said that they never ask me. Barry said that they were under the impression that I was avoiding the house like the plague. I had to tell them it was because I didn't want to clean up after them any more. I listened as Mom told Barry that he'd have to get rid of some things before Betty, the lady cleaning for them, came. I commented that I just got tired of being cussed at and fussed at when I did the same things that Betty is doing for them now.