The Importance of family

The Importance of family

Forgive me, but recently my overall being has been filled with the infectious feeling of euphoria. Why you ask? Well there are so many reasons that attribute to this cause. Let’s start with one main catalyst, my sister recently got married; which meant that family from all over flew in. What an amazing environment to bask in as all my loved ones were ushered to congregate under one household where we constantly bumped into each other every minute. Now I know what you’re saying, “ Rose that can be rather annoying long term” but never the less it reminded me of the innocent child hood days in which all my siblings were together and resided as a family unit . How I missed those days!

The last week and even up to now had me really thinking about the importance of family. It was after years that my siblings and I were reunited. Though we don’t get to see each other often we are all still very close. Realistically in retrospect my social foundation was founded upon the principles in which my family and siblings instilled onto me and helped shape me to be the person I am today.     I am proud of this to the point where my skin glows and radiates a sheen of effervescence cascading across all my facial expressions when I’m around them.

To see each one of them as living testaments and products of my parents is so precious in my eyes and to my soul. The home I grew up in was full of love, care, perseverance, honesty and most definitely hard work. My Mother instilled into us the vital values of life, which to date I still practice.

Growing up as a youngster, naivety seemed to sometimes create the misconception to me that all siblings and even family members got along perfectly. However as I grew older I started to notice other families’ behavior towards each other can sometime escalate into major blowouts. Not just sibling rivalry but vindictive attitudes. That shouldn’t occur; after all if anything, we should be looking out for each other and not trying to back stab, bicker and curse each other out.

My four brothers, sister and I get along really well. I remember my mom saying to me after the birth of her three boys and a girl that she prayed to have another girl, so her two daughters can confide in each other. Her prayers were answered and then came me.

My sister Diana is my best friend; she is that special person in my life with whom I can confide in. Smiling as I write this, I’m also proud to revel in the enlightenment that in fact – my four brothers hold such a special place in my heart that I can  reach out to them and beseech  my thoughts without worrying about my most sensitive feelings being divulged.

The bond we have I believe comes from the values my parents taught us. It is important to be firm with your kids and teach them the values of family and friendship. I remember one of my elder brothers saying to us once, “if ever any one of us stops talking to another; he will personally take it upon himself to share some belt and bring us back on par”.

As I think about his statement, it’s not one driven by violence but merely one that pushes and brings forth the seriousness and strong beliefs he currently holds as it relates to family and the importance of sibling ties. Think about this; do you like the war that happens in our world on a daily basis? Countries fighting against each other, what about gunmen robbing businesses? I am sure the answer is no, then why have a war amongst your family members?

Look! I am not saying fights can’t occur, disputes will always take place from time to time but mostly I refer to squabbles where disputes get so nasty that years go by without members talking to each other. What is the sense in that? What lessons are you learning?  You are merely missing out on precious time away from your love ones with whom you grew up with from birth.

As I smile ear to ear and dance spontaneously when I see them as I know not how to express my anxiety and excitement, I find myself floating on cloud nine to see all my beloved family members bumping into each other in the corridors as we cook as a family, chit chat and play cards as a unit or even come together for this auspicious wedding.  If you can feel this love and magic which I experience then you must truly be lucky as I am, and if anyone who reads this feels like they have been missing out in enjoying their family values, I urge you to make it better and repair whatever wounds or lacerations are there within your family to make it better. At the end of the day, we must personally do what we can to keep our family together and strengthen its bonds and foundation, as our family is the closest congregation that we have to God.  It is a gift and we must cherish it.