buildingstrongerfamilies.net

This week our family is gathering together for our annual family vacation.  All of my siblings come together along with their children and spouses.  We try to plan a week of relaxation for the adults and at the same time, try not to bore the kids out of their minds.  

I am fortunate to have a Big Brother that I actually look forward to seeing.  There are so many families in which there is hard feelings between siblings and no communication.   I am now getting to the age where I don’t have time to waste on being mad or upset over little petty things.  I want the time that I have left with my brother to be fulfilling and seasoned with grace.  

I mean, why would I still carry hard feelings over my brother dumping me off of the handle bars of his bike and then running over me when I was 5 years old?  Why should I let a little thing like humiliation and severe back pain interfere with our friendship as adults?  

Silly, but true!  Thankfully, I am the only one that remembers that traumatic experience.  My brother has no recollection of that event and it would be ridiculous for me to hold that against him today.  But, the truth is, that is very common in families.

Make a choice today: let today be the day where you let some of those petty things go and forgive.  

I must confess that I am blessed to have a big brother that shows me grace and puts up with my junky attitude at times.  I can’t wait until he and his family get here tomorrow so that we can share time together that is free of awkwardness and stress.

Listen, our families are made up of the people that know and care the most for us, may I encourage you to make things right, show lots of grace, and enjoy the time that you have left.

I love you Bro. 

What is it about camping that makes it so memorable?  Some of my fondest memories of childhood are of my family camping.  We would drive forever and then pull into some campground and see families all over the place unpacking tents and putting their red and white checkered table clothes on the picnic tables.  The smell of the campfire, the excitement of smores, and sound of the tent getting zipped up and everyone climbing in their sleeping bags.

It is this time of year that makes me want to create those same kind of memories for my own family.  Only, I wish that we didn’t have to get away to some kind of “utopia” in order for those kind of memories and feelings to happen.  I am looking forward to “camping” at home this summer as well as getting up into the mountains.