Family Fun

Despite my generational history of dysfunction and trauma the one thing my family is really good at is having fun.  We really do know how to have fun!

I have many memories of playing spontaneous games, performing in impromptu concerts, listening to funny (and spooky) stories, singing and dancing to great music. Big parties. Lots of laughter and high spirits. With my parents, sibling, aunties and uncles, cousins and grandparents.

The fact I had young parents and young relatives contributed greatly to this family fun mantra. My mum and dad didn't shut up shop on their social lives when they became parents. They took us to all their parties when we were little children. And they joined us at many a rock/pop concerts in our teenage and adult years.

Time brings many changes. Loved ones lost. Relationships broken. New members of family are introduced.

And now as my parents re-partner and my brother and I establish nuclear families of our own I feel we are leaving the positives of our family behind. I truly miss the sense of fun we once experienced and enjoyed. It's not a yearning for days gone by. No way do I want to revisit the past. I do long for the easiness for familiarity, the freedom of no responsibility and being available to light and laughter. I miss that celebration of fun.

There are moments. But oh so fleeting.

The mixing of family of origins is often a tricky process. I have found that the 'other' becomes the dominant experience. And I don't like that. I want my daughter to receive this positive tradition from me. I want her to feel like she comes from a fun and playful environment.

And so daily I create experiences and accept invitations which embrace my history and understanding of family. For her. For me. And for all my loved ones.

Did your family have an essence? Is there anything missing from your 'new' family?  What do you need to let go of and what do you need to embrace from your personal family history?

My family is my strength and my weakness - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan