At My Mother's Knee (2)

According to studies, children who know their family stories are more resilient in trials and hardships. So I started considering if I had found that to be true in my own life. So firstly, who is my family?

My family is a small group of independent yet dependent people. Yes, that's a confusing statement but actually it's true. We are all very capable of surviving and functioning alone, and sometimes we feel like we are so capable that we come off headstrong and our opinions clash. At the same time, however, we are all very dependent on each other. I know I need my parents and sister so badly, especially now that I'm away from them. We depend on each other for security, happiness, loyalty, love, and advice. This is my family:

So what family stories and traditions have I learnt at my Mother's knee? Well a lot of stories actually come from my Dad, so I suppose we could start at my Father's knee. My dad used to tell us bedtime stories all the time. They would mostly be stories of his childhood and his family. I learnt that you need to love your siblings through thick and thin. I heard many stories about crazy events that went on, but I also learnt that looking after each other is most important. Once dad told me his brother brought knuckle-dusters to the bus to deal with a bully problem. Okay, violence isn't encouraged but I learnt from that event that Jessica needs to be my number one. I'm her big sister and I need to protect her. And when we weren't fighting, I was definitely trying to protect her!

My Mom is an amazing example to me. I never really appreciated the love of a mother until I didn't have her physical presence around me all of the time. The day we parted at the SLC airport was a really hard one. My Mom has been the tradition maker and keeper in my life. Every Christmas when we set up the Christmas tree, Jess and I take turns "flying the angel" to the top of the tree. We have done it since I was little and it's a precious tradition to me. I guess this year Jess will get to do it since I'll be in Utah when they set it up but then again I did get to do it last Christmas!

Another tradition is family cuddles. It started way-back-when. I mean I can't even remember the first time it happened. I always assumed it would die off as I grew older but no other feeling can really compare to squishing four people into a bed for two people. The cuddle session only lasted about 3 minutes as we got older, Dad couldn't hack the heat. I still remember the great feeling of crawling into bed to sleep a little longer with the family!

I could write about my family all day, but I suppose I should finish up and actually study - yay for being in university!

Basically I believe the theory that children cope better knowing family stories and having firm traditions behind them. I can draw on the experiences of my Mom and Dad to help guide my life and actions. I can also recall memories to make me happy when I am far away from them. I have had about 1 hour of homesickness this whole time and I have coped pretty well with being on a different continent, 7360km away. 

So thank you, Family. I love you!

Thought for the day: "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck." (Proverbs 1:8-9)

Have a great day!