While considering what to write for this month’s blog, I thought about holiday traditions past. Some basic customs include putting up a tree, decorating the house, sending cards, baking cookies and exchanging gifts. The length of time these have been in practice might vary, but they all focus on celebrating and sharing with others. That started me thinking about family.
About twenty years ago I decorated a small artificial tree with photocopied pictures of relatives, making it a “Family Tree Christmas” tree. Although the prints were not of the highest quality, it was enjoyable to see my ancestors, as well as siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins and their families when I walked by the tree. It made me reflect on the bonds we share and also the good times we have when together.
The thought of that Family Tree Christmas tree, reminds me of how fortunate I am for my family, both immediate and extended. While growing up, I was always surprised when I heard about families fighting, siblings quarreling and not getting along. That was a foreign concept to me, as I never saw my parents fight with each other, and except for the small arguments my siblings and I might have had as children, we don’t argue as adults. We respect each other and put family first.
I am thankful that I got to know most of my aunts and uncles and established a good relationship with them as an adult. They are all gone now, but I have special memories of them. I faintly remember some past Christmases, when we would visit Indiana PA around the holidays when I was little; there would be a present, bought by my Aunt Susie, waiting for us. Typically around the holidays we would see my dad’s family, especially those from out of town.
As an uncle, I have fun recollections of my niece and nephews when they were little. Around the holidays we often reminisce about those times, like when my brother unintentionally frightened our little niece when she was about 18 months. She often would delight when someone would play peek-a-boo and say “Boo!”, but once my brother took her by complete surprise by coming up behind her and saying “Boo.” She screamed and was suspicious of him for some time after until she got a little older. It’s hard to believe how fast they grow up and that now I have three grand nephews.
Many of my paternal cousins are older, and when I was younger, I did not really know them well. Now I see many of them each year at the Brown family reunion, which has been occurring for over twenty years. Although that might be the only time I see some of them, it is a perfect opportunity for us to spend a day together and catch up. Over the years, it has been enjoyable to see their children grow up, get married and have kids, who are another generation of Charles and Lucy’s descendants.
There are also distant cousins that I have gotten to know over the years, mostly through our shared interest and research on the family tree. Some of these cousins I’ve had the pleasure to meet in person, sometimes at a family reunion that they have held. With others it has only been through correspondence that we have gotten acquainted. Our common roots, along with our passion on finding and sharing information on our family connect us and forge friendships. I look forward to finding new cousins who have a common interest in genealogy.
Since I have been married, there is my husband’s family who I can say indeed are mine. I am lucky that his family, although much larger, is like mine. From his parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and their families, they have been gracious in welcoming me into their family these past 8 years. I enjoy the gatherings and visiting with them.
The holidays are a perfect time to reflect on family present and past. It is the memories that we create together that sustain us throughout the year. I feel privileged to have such joyful recollections of my family, and cherished memories of those who are no longer with me. I truly appreciate my family; they are one of the greatest gifts in my life.
Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday and a prosperous and healthy New Year.
Relatively Speaking Blog 