As I get older, I appreciate more that I’m able to be close to most of my immediate family. Need someone to visit? Someone is there. Locked your keys in the car? Someone is there. Twenty-three and just bought your first house and have no money for dinner? Someone is there. Overall, it’s pretty great. And having lived through the years when they morbidly embarrassed me and the moments I would have traded them for any other family in the world, I’m now quite certain there’s nothing like them. The fact that they’re mine makes them all that much better.
With my sister and nephew visiting, they, of course, are the Family of the Hour. Everyone wants to see them and cook for them and just be around them because, well, they’re both really cute. One thing I love about their visits, though, is that it brings all of us together. All the time. Fifteen years ago I would have been driven insane by the thought of family dinners every night, the chaos, and all that annoying togetherness. It’s different now, of course. I sit back and see how everything comes together. That no matter the insanity that comes with it, these are and always have been the most loving, accepting people in my life. Above all else, they love, and they love me.
They are those people that can both roll their eyes over your request to eat your broccoli sans butter sauce, and then embrace your choices, because though they may not understand you, they believe in you. They know you well enough, too well, and somehow love you in spite of yourself. If nothing else, and even without my knowing it, this is how I’ve learned to love, too. I’ve learned that we do not love based on perfection, and that sometimes we love without choice. Above the teenage cousins full of smart jokes, the artfully inserted Crazy Grandma Comments, the slight bickering between aunts and siblings and husbands and wives, I have an amazing view. I’m certainly aware that not all of us see it this way, and that not all of us have this opportunity with our families. But nonetheless, from where I sit, I can’t help but wish this for everyone.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
You have a wonderful family experience – cherish it!
My family is a tad different in that we are small and scattered all over the country. The one thing that I can say is that the immediate families take care of one another and the whole of the family is built up of some very interesting characters – and that is putting it lightly. When we get together, it is like attending a country club social – one never knows exactly what to expect, but whatever happens – it will be done in style!
I have family dinner on Friday evenings … all FIFTEEN of us!!
To say it’s chaotic is an understatement!
Nail on the head. We spent the whole weekend with Magoo’s family and it was crazy and at times irratating – but it was family.
One of many reasons I married my husband was because of the wonderfulness of his family. Things with my family are tense at the best of times, but when I’m with his family, I realize that this is what people are always gushing about.
Cherish it and spread the love!
I so know what you mean. I look forward to Thanksgiving for the big family get together and everything. And yes, while it would drive you crazy when young, it’s nice to be able to see, and now appreciate how great they are. No one in my family really runs, but none of them think I’m crazy for going to these races…and my parents actually try to get to as many of these races as they can. Heck, if I had one on a weekend, they’d get up and come to shorter ones too if they were in town. Having the love and support is so huge.
What a sweet post and a perfect description of what family is. They do teach us how to love…thanks for reminding me.
That must be a wonderful feeling. Other than me and The Cougar, I’m not close to anyone else in my enormous extended family. But Mel Heth and Big Sis adopted me so, “Guess who’s coming to dinner!”
aw, you are one lucky lucky lady to have such a close knit family!
Yes, that’s good stuff. I’m sure I’ll be relishing in it more when my Mom moves here in a couple weeks.
I am within a very reasonable distance of my family with the exception of my brother, his wife and my 6month old niece I have yet to meet. You are very lucky.
That’s awesome. Those days are long gone for me as we are further a part as ever now with my mom gone. Cherish all the family dinner
That’s a very loving and generous wish, and I’d echo it. I love my family, even the nutballs. And they love me too.
Family is definitely one of the most precious things we have in our lives. I surely am immensely grateful for mine. I’m so glad you’re enjoying yours : )
Well said. I definitely know what you mean, about knowing that they are always there. I remember being sick in Europe and calling my mom collect at 2 am and just crying because she answered. Because I knew she would. It’s nice to be able to count on someone isn’t?