Family Reunions
My family reunions are so chaotic usually. If it's not the huge/loud family dinner at some chinese restaurant, it's because of the hurried/hectic schedule that the family tries to accomodate when people get together. That and some people are just indecisive. I've found that sometimes family reunions can happen too often, and sometimes not often enough. Not surprisingly, my dad's side (the ones that live in the Seattle area) meets fairly often, every other week or so for a meal or something else. I'm guessing this spawned from a more tightly held family from the previous generation. My dad sees his parents almost every week, and if not calls them. Yes, very dedicated I guess. Me? We'll get to that later. My mom's family doesn't really ever have large family reunions. It's mostly a relative or two and their families getting together usually. They also happen yearly.
In either situation, I can't say that everyone gets along with everyone else. Happens with every family. On my dad's side, the people who don't get together just don't come to the weekly/biweekly dinners as often. It doesn't affect everyone else too much, as long as most of the family is there. (sad but true)Confrontations among the opposites are avoided, probably for the better. On my mom's side, confrontations aren't avoided, they're met with full force. Sometimes they stir up even more than was initially concieved. Why this happens? I'm not entirely sure. Conflict of interests, mis-communication or lack there of, or simply because of bad scheduling are examples of reasons that happen in any situation. Why am I writing this? Because I'm the only guy among 4 women who are in the fiercest battle this side of Mercer Island. And man, I've had enough already >_<. I don't mean to offend women, but listening and *trying* to help hurts my head more than getting a brain freeze. These things just can't be sorted out sometimes and the best medicine is just time. Which is probably why these reunions happen every year. They forget what happened last year, so they get together the next year, only to repeat the process. Add a relative, stir, wait 3 minutes and viola; Instant chaos. I'm taking this a tad to far for the general audience, so if you're not related to me, make sure you forget this the next time you see any of my family.
What compelled me to write this was reflection about my own future family. Personally, I'd like to see my kids and other family somewhat-frequently (like different relatives every few weeks), but not so often that it drives my life. Having family to catch you when you fall is essential to life, however learning to be self-sufficient is also a must. There will undoubtedly be times when you need someone to help you. Family (and some friends) will always be there for you. I've been told that my parents have been both very strict on me to hold family bonds tight, as well as to be very independent/responsible. How it works, I dunno, but I guess I'll find out more about myself in the future.
One final question to the rest of you I'll raise is this, if confrontation really is painful, would you keep seeing that person, if they were family? Could you really cut the blood bonds forever? Is it in your best interest to do something like that? I'm thinking that this would get mixed responses from both more Amercanized folks as opposed to the Asian folks out there. I mean it's easy to stay away from someone you dont like at school, but family? You'd have to take some pretty desperate/far out measures to rid yourself of them. Not that I'm suggesting anything. I just wish everyone could get along. Can't live w/ family, can't live w/o them.
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