I am fortunate to have so many fond memories of my youth. When we were young, my little brother and I would chase our small dog around our big back yard. When we got a little older Mum and Dad would take us to the beach for swimming lessons and then take us to the kiosk for ice-cream on the way home. Later on as teens, we would spend time with the other teenagers in the neighborhood, riding our bicycles in the street until it got dark. More time passes, we grow up, and then move away. Even though you love your parents and that will never change, it is easy for families to grow away from each other. During the holiday season, we are reminded more than ever about how important it is for us to appreciate our family and not take them for granted.
Let Family Know You Appreciate Them
Showing appreciation of family members is so important, but sadly it is not always an easy thing to do. For example, my Dad and I have never really had an openly loving relationship. We're tough guys and sharing your feelings isn't the norm. We do love each other, very much, but we share an unspoken kind of love. He endured the same relationship with his father and never let him know that he loved him until it was too late. That's why I took it upon myself to make sure that this is not how it ends up for my Dad and me. Now we share the occasional awkward: 'I love you Dad, I love you son' moment. Still not perfect, but it is a work in progress. My partner's family is the exact opposite. When you come to visit you get a hug upon arrival, and you get more hugs when you depart. It does make me a bit envious sometimes, but it does give me something to try for.
Properly Establish Priorities
Look at life this way. If you died tomorrow, your coworkers would mourn you briefly but it is a guarantee you would be replaced and the office would go on without you. Your family, however, will endure the loss for the remainder of their lives. They will celebrate you often and they will never forget you. Consider now how much time you spend at work, and how much time you devote to your family. The level of importance should be very clear regarding time spent with loved ones, especially during the holidays. My mother and my aunty organise a massive family get-together each and every year during the holidays. My father's siblings consist of eight brothers and sisters. Each of them have at a minimum two kids of their own, grown now and some of those also have children! The holidays are busy, noisy, and confused, but I can't imagine it being any other way. It is the perfect way to spend the holidays.
Make Time
Always make every effort possible to spend time with your family. If you've become distant, be the one to take the first step and initiate contact. Maybe invite your family over for a nice dinner together. Try to initiate get-togethers on a regular basis. If you live far from your family, give them a call on the telephone. You can rest assured they would love to hear from you. Spend time reminiscing, and make sure your family knows how much you value your memories of your life together. Take a few moments to write them a letter. If time is limited, send an email instead. I am always getting spam emails from my mom, the kind of humorous junk emails that are so annoying and bothersome if they were to come from anyone else. I think that deep down she has a hidden agenda; she doesn't want to be forgotten. Her joke emails are intended to remind me she is there, and after she sends them we start an email conversation and both feel better because of it.
Every family has its good and bad times; there simply is no such thing as a perfect family. But your family is the only one you have, and they are the ones who will always be there for you when you need them. The time we have to spend with our family is precious, so we should avoid spending it fighting with one another. Show your appreciation and love for your loved ones while you have the chance; don't wait until it is too late to let them know how much you treasure them.
Let Family Know You Appreciate Them
Showing appreciation of family members is so important, but sadly it is not always an easy thing to do. For example, my Dad and I have never really had an openly loving relationship. We're tough guys and sharing your feelings isn't the norm. We do love each other, very much, but we share an unspoken kind of love. He endured the same relationship with his father and never let him know that he loved him until it was too late. That's why I took it upon myself to make sure that this is not how it ends up for my Dad and me. Now we share the occasional awkward: 'I love you Dad, I love you son' moment. Still not perfect, but it is a work in progress. My partner's family is the exact opposite. When you come to visit you get a hug upon arrival, and you get more hugs when you depart. It does make me a bit envious sometimes, but it does give me something to try for.
Properly Establish Priorities
Look at life this way. If you died tomorrow, your coworkers would mourn you briefly but it is a guarantee you would be replaced and the office would go on without you. Your family, however, will endure the loss for the remainder of their lives. They will celebrate you often and they will never forget you. Consider now how much time you spend at work, and how much time you devote to your family. The level of importance should be very clear regarding time spent with loved ones, especially during the holidays. My mother and my aunty organise a massive family get-together each and every year during the holidays. My father's siblings consist of eight brothers and sisters. Each of them have at a minimum two kids of their own, grown now and some of those also have children! The holidays are busy, noisy, and confused, but I can't imagine it being any other way. It is the perfect way to spend the holidays.
Make Time
Always make every effort possible to spend time with your family. If you've become distant, be the one to take the first step and initiate contact. Maybe invite your family over for a nice dinner together. Try to initiate get-togethers on a regular basis. If you live far from your family, give them a call on the telephone. You can rest assured they would love to hear from you. Spend time reminiscing, and make sure your family knows how much you value your memories of your life together. Take a few moments to write them a letter. If time is limited, send an email instead. I am always getting spam emails from my mom, the kind of humorous junk emails that are so annoying and bothersome if they were to come from anyone else. I think that deep down she has a hidden agenda; she doesn't want to be forgotten. Her joke emails are intended to remind me she is there, and after she sends them we start an email conversation and both feel better because of it.
Every family has its good and bad times; there simply is no such thing as a perfect family. But your family is the only one you have, and they are the ones who will always be there for you when you need them. The time we have to spend with our family is precious, so we should avoid spending it fighting with one another. Show your appreciation and love for your loved ones while you have the chance; don't wait until it is too late to let them know how much you treasure them.