ENOUGH!

I was raised in a big family. No, not my immediate family, but my extended family. My mother came from a family of 10 and my father from a family of 11. Of course, a large family was normal to me, because it was all I knew. I remember being pretty close with most all of my family too. I remember family reunions and holiday get-togethers being chaotic, but fun.

Unfortunately, as time goes by, things change and so do people. Our families no longer have family reunions or holiday get-togethers. In fact, some of our families don’t even speak to each other anymore. Some of us just get too busy with our day-to-day lives, and others are mad about one thing or another. The latter is what I’ve finally had enough of. I’ve had enough of the bickering and gossiping and fighting. I’ve not once heard of a good reason either. In just about every instance it stems from hurt pride. Someone said something 15 years ago, and damnit if we aren’t going to hold a grudge about it. Well I say stop it! We only have one family. I couldn’t imagine being so mad at one of my siblings that I would cut them off completely for decades. That’s not to say we’ve never had our disagreements, but we get over it. If we don’t have each other, then we don’t have anyone.

I can’t say I’ve been perfect. I may not have feuded with my brother or sisters, but I have with my cousin. I’m not going to stand around and point fingers, but I said a lot of hurtful things that I should never have said. I was wrong, and I’m willing to admit that in a letter of apology, and take that first step to mend fences. I am willing to do this to try and get closer to my family, are you? I’m challenging you to do the same with someone in your family that you have lost touch with. Maybe you’re not fighting with them, but you just haven’t talked to them in a couple of years. I’m challenging you to make that first step like I am.