The quote in memorable; I do not know when I first heard it, but I have long remembered it. Robert Frost wrote, “Home is the place, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.”
My version is shorter, “Family is where they have to take you in.” Unfortunately, in today’s world, there are more and more exceptions–families that reject some family members, homeless children in the sprawling cities of our world, broken families with broken hearts.
The person is blessed who has an accepting family. The person with an extended family that celebrates being family is doubly blessed. Blessed is that person who understands, appreciates, and enjoys family.
This weekend Jan and I are enjoying a reunion of our extended family on my side of the tree. Every two years, we get together, not all of us, but many of us. My mother was one of nine siblings, we were eventually 21 first cousins. Only one of the generation I call aunts and uncles is still living. The 21 first cousins are now 19. But subsequent generations keep coming–second cousins and third cousins and….
Families are the basic structure of every society. Family is important, special, significant. Family helps us know who we are. Family gives us orientation. Family gives us roots, and wings.
This weekend would be a good time to celebrate your family. If there are disconnections, this weekend would be a wonderful time to write that letter or email, or make that phone call, and strengthen the family.