Welcome back peeps to another week. Yes, it is technically week 4 of the year and I am late with my post, but I was so caught up last week with work and my new challenge of going to the gym every day I forgot or more like ran out of time -_-!
So this week is about paying gratitude to family.
FAMILY: noun.
A group consisting of two parents and their children living together as a unit
All the descendants of a common ancestor
Family is different to each soul living and breathing on this planet. We are born to two people who decided to do the deed- be it purposefully or accidentally. I am grateful to be born to two loving parents but was I planned? Well one says yes while the other says no, either way they are still apart of my life and have taught me many strong values.
My Mum; I grew up with her until I was 12 and moved down to Melbourne to live with my dad. This broke her heart but she understands now that it was for the best. You may think that your mum is the best! However you may want to reconsider, I am serious. If you grew up with my mum she would offer you the world and more. She taught me that money isn’t everything and that you would sacrifice anything for the ones you love. She knows so much about tarots, crystals and star signs and when you think that’s it she has more information hiding up her sleeve! She makes sense in this crazy and unexpected world that we live in and I love her alternative ways of thinking.
My Dad; this guy comes across as tough and scary but really is the biggest bear I know. He is over protective but will easily embarrass me no matter where we are. He is a typical Dad, rarely says the “L” word but calls me weekly to fortnightly to make sure I am alive. He has taught me how to be a pro at snowboarding and to never give up on myself. My dad wouldn’t be the person that he is without his amazing wife, my second mum. She is made up of mostly rocks and glue; holds everyone together and is everyone’s rock of support. Just because she isn’t my biological mum, does not mean she isn’t family! She is family because she chose to take us on board when she married my father- the good, the bad and the ugly. (and that takes a lot of guts haha)
My family is huge, huge as in complicated but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I was born in the sunny state of Queensland over 25 years ago. Little did I know that 25 years later I would have 1 full blood sister, 2 half-brothers and 3 half-sisters! Yeah I know right… crazy but I love each and every one with all of my heart and more and would do anything to ensure they grow and live a prosperous life.
I remember thinking when my sister and I were young that we wanted more brothers and sisters, so that when we had children of our own they would get spoiled with lots of love and presents from their Aunts and Uncles like we did (and still get). I would have loved one or two more but I am forever grateful for the additional 5. There is an age gap between myself and the youngest, a total of 18 years difference, yet this doesn’t stop us from having fun and bonding over the small things in life. Each brother and sister are unique, each have their own abilities and each have their own goals and ambitions. I literally love them all to pieces, I just wish that we all lived closer instead of being spread out over the east coast of Australia.
I am grateful that I still have all my grandparents alive. I know many people who have never had the chance to meet their grandparents or have attended their funerals and I honestly do not know how that would feel. Yes they all live in Queensland but the magic of technology allows me to call or facetime them anytime, anywhere. The stories they tell have left their mark on me and I crave to hear more. My grandad decided to start travelling when he was 60, so it gives me hope yet that we don’t need to travel now, we have our whole life. He has travelled to all the countries I would never have considered until last year and every time I see him he shows me pictures and there is a story to each and every one of them. My grandmother found her dad last year, living in a nursing home around the corner from her! So I now have a great grandfather and met him for the first time last year. My Oma and Pop have lived (in my eyes) a successful lifestyle- the both decided to move here from England, built a business from rock bottom and now live a retired life and travel yearly.
Now to my other family from another mother… the family that isn’t blood but by choice. These are they type of people who randomly come into your life but stay for the good even through the bad- you always have their back no matter the distance or circumstances. I am lucky to have these people in my life! Some I may not speak to on a frequent basis or even see, as they live miles away, but I know I can always count on them to be there for me when I really need them and vice versa. Some may consider no longer being a “sister” to me but deep down inside, I still hold you there and I dream that one day you will put your differences aside and realise the mistake that you made. My family by choice know who they are and even though shit went down last year, they still stood by me and still provide unconditional love and support. Random visits, calls and messages enlighten my day and week. I am proud to hear and see their achievements in life be it residency or winning body building tournaments or living in rural Queensland to pursue her dream job, I am even more proud they want me their to celebrate from the small to the big things in life.
Family by choice can sometimes often provide you with more guidance, ideas and opinions as they lived and experienced a different life to what you grew up with- their words are priceless and I always go to them when I am in a pickle.
Work: yes how strange I consider this but if you work in an environment that you get along with everyone that works there then you are very lucky and I am one of those lucky ones! We laugh, we jokes, we work as a team and we definitely have each other’s back both at work and in their personal life. I am grateful that my relationships I made at my previous job could land me this job, sometimes it feels like I never left New South Wales Golf Club, I just work with different people. Also the members are ever so lovely where I work and are interested in your life just as much as you are interested in their life.
As they say, you can chose friends but not your family.
Just remember though, they may be family by blood/marriage but this doesn’t mean you have to like them or associate with them. Either keep the peace at gatherings or don’t attend but do not belittle yourself to their standard at celebrations (birthdays, marriage, death)- go to appreciate the person whose event it is.
Anyhoo, I am 3 days late with this post so I best post this and think on which “Family Member” I want to pay gratitude too- this is gonna be hard as I love them all equally.
They make up who I am!
