As I've stated before, my family means a lot to me. I value the time I spend with any family members be it Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents (mine have all passed now) and so on.
There are a certain few relatives that for one reason or another have angered me a great deal over the years and I'm sure they know who they are. I won't get into that but suffice to say they've made it very difficult for me to forgive and forget and I haven't spoken to them in years. I have no plans to change that anytime soon either.
But there are other family members I spend a great deal of time with or I like to whenever possible, especially on my dad's side of the family.
Many of them are similar in a lot of ways but of course they have their own unique personalities that make our visits interesting. And the older I got, the more fun this time has become. Some of my cousins I don't see too often since they are spread out all across the country or lead busy lives but once a year it's good to catch up on things. Christmas isn't always that time but every few years it happens that the family gathers together to eat great food and share a lot of laughs.
Yes, I truly believe the older you get the more you understand the importance of family. Sure friends are great and a lot of fun but you can always count on family to be there when you really need them.
My parents have had the most influence in my life and I can honestly say I fear the day they are no longer with me. They've meant so much and have really been there for everything I've ever done and every up and down. My memories are filled with millions of little things and moments that I've shared with them. It's funny how the smallest thing can provide such a lasting memory.
As an example, I remember my mother helping out at my elementary school with the fluoride days or walking through a blizzard to walk myself and some other kid's home from school. I recall my dad letting me drive around in his transport while he worked and our afternoon break was a stop at the little drugstore downtown where we could get a meal of french fries and a pop. It also meant a great deal when I'd be playing football and even though he couldn't get off work, I'd see him stop the truck on the highway long enough to watch a bit of my game.
And that doesn't even scratch the surface for everything else they've done and sacrificed to feed me, dress me, get me home safely after a night of drinking with the guys. There was always love in our home. Sometimes my brother and I would step out of line and pay a penalty and we'd wonder where the love went, but looking back, even the punishment was a form of love and guidance to keep us on the right path.
And of course my brother Scott means a great deal to me also. He didn't always however. I'm not going to lie, there were times as kids I thought he hated me and I think I might have felt the same towards him. With five years difference between us it made it tough to be close as he didn't want his little brother tagging around after him. Oh boy did we have our confrontations over the years but the bruises healed and the scars faded.
The turning point in our relationship came when I made it clear to him that he could no longer pick on me or push me around. You see, there was that moment in time when my "big brother" was no longer the "biggest brother" and one quick toss of Scott into a pine tree turned the light bulb on in his brain and he realized he'd be better off having me as an ally.
Since that moment, everything changed for us and despite the fact he lives in Florida with his wife Erin (who I haven't had a good chance to torment yet) we get along better now then ever before. We're still very competitive with each other when we play computer games and cards but that's because we both hate losing.
Scott and Erin recently came home for a visit for Labour Day weekend and it was nice to have a big brother around to do things with again. It only lasted a short time but he'll be back for Christmas and I'm sure I'll visit Florida again soon.
Family is important to me. Life is too short as it is and that's why spending time with the people you love shouldn't be taken for granted. Cherish the time you have with your family because it will end all too soon.
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