I am encouraged and motivated by your experience and how much you appreciate family. Infact, family is gold, family is everything. Both extended and immediate family when supportive, is a thing to be thankful to God for. Their support even if moral is a driving engine that can push one across. And everyone else that appreciates one's work, is also an input worth it. When these people act, even if passive, it makes one know he/she is not alone. Infact I value and appreciate your experience and your storyline my dear friend. You're not alone, keep writing!
You are so right about the place of family in our lives. Without friends and family none of this would really be worth anything at all and, having lost several friends and family members in recent years, it is something I have become ever more conscious of.