Family

I’ve always thought that I had a fairly normal upbringing and family. Normal probably isn’t the right choice of word but bear with.
What I mean is I consider myself to be lucky. I grew up in a loving family, not without its difficulties and foibles but I had a comfy home, two loving parents and my big sister. Of course there was also my wider family, aunts, uncles and cousins. As the years pass the family has naturally grown with my own children and nephews and nieces. Like I said at the beginning I always thought we were pretty standard but I find that the more people I know and speak to, it seems that we are quite special.
Here’s the thing we like each other and enjoy spending time together. Now for me thats what I mean about being normal but it seems that that is far from the norm. Not for us family feuds, falling out, not speaking, spending as little time as possible together. No we love a family gathering. Granted it gets harder as the family grows. Currently we are trying to plan how we can all be together over for some or all of Christmas and new year. The logistics of this are tricky, merging from Birmingham, Essex, Milton Keynes, Preston and London. Who will be where when, where will they sleep, food almost being the after thought.
When we are together we have good times, traditions, dancing, singing, so many ‘you had to be there’ moments, belly laughs and piss taking. I really don’t know what is the gel that holds us all so close together. Of course there is love but many families have that and still don’t get on so it can only be a little bit of special magic and alcohol can’t for get alcohol. Long may it continue.