Thankful and Blessed to Have My Family
Families come in all shapes and sizes. Some may wish they didn’t have to spend so much time with their family members. Others may long to be closer to them.
We are all molded and shaped, influenced and sometimes intimidated by our families. For the most part, and whether we like it or not, we are who we are (or who we aren’t) because of our experience and exposure to our families.
My niece's wedding several years ago. This is just a small part of my family! |
I am so grateful that I was born into my family. I was born in Houston and when I say family, it includes (besides my parents and brother), my grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles, as well as an extended family that grew every year.
My Aunt Jerry was informally adopted when she met my Grandmother in California. She was almost as big as Mama Cass and had light brown hair, the biggest dimples, and blue eyes. But it never occurred to any of us kids that Aunt Jerry was not Chinese or different from us. When every child turned 6 months old, Aunt Jerry made them their own small birthday cake. We have pictures of cake all over our faces.
We had Sunday afternoon lunches where having 15+ for dinner was the norm. Anyone was always welcomed. And like many families, when we gathered everyone talked at once.
I was always trying to make the perfect chocolate chip cookie but inevitably the first batch would come out a little crispy. Seeing how disappointed I was, my dear uncle would always take a handful of them and tell me that he liked the burnt ones the best.
My uncle and aunt were famous for their Mahjong parties, especially on New Year’s Eve. There were often 5 or 6 tables going while we kids ran around eating everything in sight and driving everyone crazy.
On several occasions, my aunt’s guest was the Chinese consulate. (I can’t remember his title) He would entertain us with all sorts of old scary ghost stories. I can’t remember them specifically but I wonder if our parents ever figured out why none of us could sleep on those nights?
From my family, I learned that family isn’t just determined by blood or marriage.
What I learned from my family is that this is what I want in a family wherever I am. I found mine in my extended family that I have in Florida.
And, it is the environment I have tried to create in my own life, no matter where I live. Come one, come all, you are invited to be a part of my family.
This is an entry in Debbie Reynolds s 12 Days of Thanks Giving 2017 ActiveRain Challenge.
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