FAMILIES EBB AND FLOW

Like a river. The life cycles- a baby, a child, a marriage, living, a funeral- are some of the occurrences. There are functional and dysfunctional families with stories and adventures. There are happy times and sad times but often just daily ordinary times with living. A movie I like-Letters to Juliette- has a great line. One of the characters said when seeing a large established home, said " wouldn't it be nice to have it all without all the messy bits!"The lead actress says" life is the messy bits." Like garbage day, a clogged kitchen drain, needing to take the children to extra activities, a high fever, dragging your butt to work for a stressful day but coming home and being with family. Living through the adventures and misadventures with family. When some family members are gone, missing them on not only special occasions but many other occasions. Being here long enough to see the family grow. So losing some, but gaining some new ones. Seeing a picture of a great-grandmother holding a new great grandchild- now knowing there must be an inner joy that someone new has come into the family. As the river moves with its seasons so does the family!