Family of Origin v/s Family of Choice

I was flipping through the channels and found a gem of a movie that really brings home issues of belonging and identity.  I wonder if you have seen it?  Muppets From Space. Yes, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and the crew.  If you can look past the feathers, glitter and fur, this movie actually gets to the crux of issues surrounding family of origin vs family of choice.

For years Gonzo wondered what he was.  I’m sure all of us can relate at one time in our lives or another. Then one day an alien ship arrived.  It turns out that a group of individuals from his home planet had been searching for him for years.  They were so ecstatic that they celebrated with a live band and everything.  Yes, as in busted out the song “Celebrate” by Kool and the Gang. Check out the clip on YouTube and have your own personal party.

I can’t begin to imagine the significance one would feel to know that a group values you so much to search through time and space to find you and is fundamentally excited when they finally do.  A people who want you, who identify you as one of their own.  A group that shares your idiosyncrasies, tastes, and even your physical features.  They found him, told him how long they had been looking for him, called him little brother,  and welcomed him home if he chose to go.

As much as he wanted to belong and be around those who are just like him, to finally have a sense of community and kinship, he didn’t go.   He chose to remain with his family of choice, the hodgepodge group that he had come to love. Why I am crying about this I have no idea.I guess the idea of belonging, family, and community is really resonating with me right now.  At any rate, I do encourage everyone to find a copy of Muppets From Space and enjoy it with the tribe of your choice.  If you can’t find a copy, here is one from Amazon.com  Enjoy!

Incidentally,  I swiped all of these photos form the internet.  If I need to remove them, I will.

Hope