Family is the heart of life

My three sisters and I had a fun-filled barbeque over the weekend and we realised how much we enjoy each other’s company.

At such gatherings, we miss our late sister and always imagine how it would be if she were alive today. My sisters and I have shared a truly rich life.

We have had thoroughly good times and equally bad times.

The fights have been as fierce as the making up.

But no matter how bad the fights get, we somehow manage to patch things up. It is a good thing; it keeps us going.

Amid our cheerful banter last Sunday, one of my sisters said that “at the end of the day, we are our only fall back situation and so it is best we stick together”.

I could not agree more.

In a world that can be cruel and lonely, it is always good to know that you can call that sister or brother or cousin or uncle with tears in your voice and they will listen with genuine concern.

Family

Sometimes we love our families, sometimes not.

Sometimes we wish we could detach from them forever, and get another set of parents, children, sisters, brothers, uncles and in-laws.

Sometimes family members richly bless our lives, sometimes they are a source of such great pain.

Yet, no matter what our families take us through, they remain so — family.

That kinfolk that has always been there; that clique that you know you can always count on (apart from a few exceptions).

They are the ones that have seen you at your very best and at your worst.

They tolerate your theatrics: your poor dancing and your off-key singing.

They will offer you tough love even when the pill is too bitter to swallow.

And they will not hesitate to tell you that you look off and should add those extra kilogrammes or stop wearing that oversized sweater.

They are the ones you laugh your heart out with till tears of joy stream down your face.

They are the same ones that will wipe those sad tears when your world turns upside down.

Yet, another Christmas is around the corner and most of us are planning how to spend our holiday season — of course with family.

Even as some of us shudder at the very thought of being stuck with our families, we can at least tilt our approach to family just a tiny bit so as to accommodate our loved ones. Louise L. Hay’s words could help: “I envelop my entire family in a circle of love — those who are living, and those who are dead.

“I affirm wonderful, harmonious experiences that are meaningful for all of us.

“I feel so timeless to be part of that timeless web of unconditional love that brings us all together.

For me, family get-togethers are opportunities to practice tolerance and compassion.”