Today as I reflect on the Christmas holiday that is now nothing but a memory, I am in awe of how family structures make each celebration unique — but yet the same. Confused? Let me explain…
Although someday in the future my immediate family may grow, at this point in time, it has pretty much dwindled to nada. I lost my Father in 2004; my Grandmother is in a nursing home; my only child is grown and married without children of his own yet; and my brother has 2 teenaged children. There aren’t little ones running around, or playing with newly unwrapped gifts during our holiday celebrations.
Perry’s family, on the other hand, consists of a bajillion kids! His sister and her husband are the proud parents of 9 (yes, NINE), and they live under the same roof as his parents. Not only are these kids running around and playing with newly unwrapped gifts — they are also taking turns clamoring onto laps, crying and rough-housing. 75% of them have play-dough hanging out of their ears.
(And to think, 3 of the children are not present in this photo!)
Still, even though our families are extremely different in size and make-up — and even though they come from totally different social and economic places in life — none of that matters. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to spend my holiday with two very different families for the exact same reason.
