Family Day is a Canadian statuary holiday in mid February that is a perfect break for winter weary Canadians.
The provinces vary the dates slightly with many school boards arranging for the preceding Friday to be off for students. This extends the weekend for families with school age children. We in Ontario, usually have a long weekend with Valentine’s Day coinciding, somewhere in the mix.
The intention is to celebrate Love. Family Love. Love of Coupledom and the families that have been born out of them. Families are as dynamic as the people that create them. We come in all different races, genders and values. Some people work on relationships, others, not so much. “Family” is just about the commitment to love and live together in a functioning unit.
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| Collecting our Family's Old Shoes ~ at our Cottage |
Admittedly it’s hard not to judge. What works for one family doesn’t work for another. Generations of people tend to have the same mannerisms and habits. Chronic complaining, judgemental opinions, habitual lies and over exaggerations are clearly poor habits. Of the families that I know who are like this - it is doubtful that they are even aware that they are perceived this way.
Keeping a family happy and healthy is hard work, so reward yourselves often and celebrate your accomplishments. Feuds, power struggles and broken marriages destroy the original tribe, do know that sometimes a family unit doesn’t have to consist of blood relations and legal marriage. Family is a creation of compassionate bonds and concentrated efforts to keep friendships alive. People don’t have to commit themselves to family members who do not love and support them. If it doesn’t work, it doesn't work. That’s okay.
For family members who continually test your clan’s closeness, I strongly suggest open compassion and understanding despite immaturity and behavioural challenges. Everybody deserves to be loved, just be mindful of not being abused.
Enjoy and appreciate your family. If you love them, chances are they will reciprocate the emotion. If they are unable to show love, it is not a reflection of you, but of the choices they have made. All you do - is wish them well.
