On Saturday, our families converged here in the Hollow to celebrate Blossom4's fifth birthday. The spring breezes were temperate, compared to what we've been having lately, so the party spilled over onto the porch and into the yard. There were sixteen young'uns, ranging in age from 10 months to thirteen years old. I love looking out the window to see the swing set, sandbox and grass overflowing with their high jinks. When everyone sang out the "Happy Birthday" chorus, my heart swelled to see all the folks that love Blossom4 crowded about the kitchen island.
After church on Sunday, we headed to Garfield's for lunch, because kids eat free on Sundays! When your kids eat like the Blossoms do, you want to go to Garfield's. While there, my brother's family showed up and squeezed in the corner booth with us for some more happy interactions that included french-fry sharing, twin babies squealing and Blossoms giggling. I may have punched my brother too, but hey, it was all in good fun!
But wait, there's more! We trekked to the local indoor playland and all the cousins climbed, slid, crawled and generally played their hearts out, while the rest of us chatted around the perimeter... and in the play structure too sometimes. Such good times! My knees are a little sore from crawling around with Blossom4 and my baby nephew.
You may have noticed that we place high value on extended family socialization, from younger cousins, same age cousins, older cousins, aunts and uncles, to grandparents.
It really is inter-generational community,
which is a bit of a long-lost commodity for many modern folks.
I do realize that some folks do not have a choice in the matter for some reason or other, so please feel no condemnation.
I only mean to point out that family socialization is a vastly important facet of socialization. How do you fit into the family dynamic? Can you respect the elder and show compassion to the younger? Can you converse skillfully on any topic? Can you interact with all the ages of your family group? Can you build lifelong relationships?
Truly, family socialization can build a sense of security, develop essential life skills and solidify important and impactful relationships.
But, really, I'm just thankful for this weekend.
Dominique