Beginning with a nice dinner to celebrate our anniversary, the week ahead will be filled with a large number of family events. I'm thinking deeply about family, and how I can support those relationships in the year ahead. I am one of a very large, loving, and active family--there are always many family events occurring simultaneously, and often we share those events and remember the past good times via Facebook posts that connect us even though family members live all over the world.
As I think about family, I'm thinking about the oldest members of our family first--the people who nurtured this family culture with their very large families and active family schedules. I want to make time to see those family members this summer if possible. At this point, visiting with the oldest members of our family is best done with a shared meal or a short visit to where they are living now. Many of those family members prefer to stay close to home at this point.
The next group includes my siblings and cousins close to my age. Most of us are busy with our own families, friends, and all of their events so it is not always to find time to get together. We're beginning the summer with one big get together, and then we'll likely continue with impromptu events throughout the year as well as get togethers during the holidays. Some of my favorite gatherings that we share include the following:
As I think about family, I'm thinking about the oldest members of our family first--the people who nurtured this family culture with their very large families and active family schedules. I want to make time to see those family members this summer if possible. At this point, visiting with the oldest members of our family is best done with a shared meal or a short visit to where they are living now. Many of those family members prefer to stay close to home at this point.
The next group includes my siblings and cousins close to my age. Most of us are busy with our own families, friends, and all of their events so it is not always to find time to get together. We're beginning the summer with one big get together, and then we'll likely continue with impromptu events throughout the year as well as get togethers during the holidays. Some of my favorite gatherings that we share include the following:
- hiking trip
- beach days
- holiday parties
- Sunday dinners
- special events
Then, of course, is the younger generation which range in age from very young to 20's and 30's. My favorite way to gather with my own children is a weekend adventure when we all travel to a same place and spend a weekend enjoying that destination with shared activities and events. We try to fit two or three of these special weekends in a year--that's not many, but given their busy life schedules, that's what works at this point. We also welcome family members at our house when possible.
As I think about family today, my thoughts remain the same--strong family ties depend on mutual respect, shared times, and support for one another's goals, dreams, pursuits, and challenges.