When a campaign spurs you on...

Over the past few weeks, the New Orleans basketball team, the Hornets, have had their people out campaigning for the life of the team. Suddenly, homes and business windows have been plastered with their slogan, NOLA HORNETS- I'M IN.

If you're in the dark about local sports, it might not have any hold on you and your passionless interest in the city's basketball team. After hearing a few people complain about the window decal and the lack of knowledge behind the campaign, I thought about the simplicity in its purpose.

I'm in: It's an obvious call for support; for a loyalty; a following; a promise of sorts.

Just within the last few days my dear Aunt had a minor stroke; my younger cousin called out of the blue; I learned that another family member had been battling breast cancer; and lastly, I was offered a high-paying stint that coincides with a family vacation and am just stumped on a conclusion.

After a long conversation with my Mother last night about all sorts of family affairs, I started to realize that that campaign in fact made sense, the simplicity was perfect. There needed to be a call for a family campaign within my own; we needed to find out who would claim, "I'M IN!"

We all need to realize that being in a family takes time; it takes effort but the rewards of a tightly-bonded family are endless.

The tribes we travel with, explore with and bond with only make us realize that we are more connected with the rest of the world--that idea though, is scary and huge. So, we break it down and deal with it in small doses. We start to realize the extent of our localized family and only from there can we start to see the ties that are bonding us to others in such a way that seems rather vast.

What does this mean? The Hornets have a great new campaign slogan? Eh, well, sure! I applaud them. But on a more meaningful level, I challenge you and your family--family of friends or relatives--to not be so lazy in their roles; to communicate; to bond and encourage and carry on the meaning of a family and the responsibility that is bestowed on you as a sister, brother, cousin, son or daughter, niece or nephew, granddaughter or grandson; build up your family stock in shared conversations and share hours.

Are ya in?