I had a great time meeting up with my Mum and Dad and siblings on Saturday night. Al and MultipleMum had just been to the AustBlogCon, so after a quick catch-up on who’s who in the bloggy zoo, we were free to just hang out with The Rentals and my youngster brother (aka TICH). It had been years since it was just the six of us sitting around the dinner table. Just like old times, except that despite my most persuasive efforts, Mum and Dad refused to move their chairs around to the heads of the table, so it wasn’t quite like the old days, but, hey, close enough.
What a privilege it was to step away from my every day responsibilities and regress, just a little. Not parent-me or wife-me or even grown-up-me. Just a sister and a daughter basking in the company that has known and loved me my whole entire life. We were silly beyond words, occasionally serious (religion! again!), always scathing of anyone who dared to hesitantly raise an opinion that differed from the gang. Ah, family.
There is something deeply comforting about my nuclear-six. My marriage is a beautiful one, my darling children aren’t going anywhere, but there was a comfort-level on Saturday night that I felt cocooned by. These are my people.
They know me. They grew me.
[Image by Amanda Gilligan]
Miss Pink says
I am not all that close with my family, sadly. It’s a long messed up story from my childhood, and if it weren’t for my kids i probably wouldn’t talk to them at all. Not that i hate them, i am just very cautious of them.
therhythmmethod says
I feel the same way about my family (sans dad – he’s just weird). I’ve always felt like a shadow as a kid, but when I spend time with my siblings I realise we are all made up of a strange, funny mix of traits and habits and tastes that is very unique to our little unit.
I love that you all made time for each other, even though Mrs Fibro and MM had another invitation for the evening. Very special.
Brenda @ Mira Narnie says
oh that’s sweet – no matter how old we are or feel grown up….there’s nothing like sitting around the family table with the original family of child years gone.
if only my brother wasn’t jet setting across the globe like he does we might gather more frequently, but when we do, like you – it’s to be savoured.
ps – and my dad would usually do all the talking about politics and the likes and we would do all the nodding and “ah ah ing”
xx
TammyJ says
Have I ever mentioned my nuclear family is nuclear – like crazy, explosive, crazy … No I have no desire to get my nuclear – which BTW is 13 I think – 11 kids two parents well three parents actually … Oh who cares … I give up.
Your post makes me feel warm and cozy. I do get that with a select few of my siblings ♥
Kelly says
That’s so beautiful, sounds like the perfect evening ☼
thatblogyoudo says
Sounds like you had a great night! Ha ha ha i heard there was wild dancing after the abc you missed out! (but then it sounds like you didn’t at the same time).
Take care π
1000 Homes of Happiness says
ahhh, this made me tingly. We are all very close and do this on a regular basis. I adore it.
xoxox
Salamander says
I totally, completely, absolutely get what you are describing – there is nothing like being around a table with your parents and your siblings, just like it was every night growing up. Reading this post made me a bit sniffly, actually, because I can’t remember the last time it was just us five around the kitchen table. Simply because someone is always interstate, or overseas, or there’s a spouse or a grandchild hanging around (damn them!! Just kidding)I’m glad you had a lovely evening – you’ve inspired me. Now, if I can just get my brother to move back to Vicco from the land of the pineapple…
Life In A Pink Fibro says
Aw. x
Cate says
I so love to catch up with all my family! We were so close growing up – but the last time we were all together was 7 years ago at my brothers wedding in the US. Since then that brother has moved around the US with his family, my other brother has moved from Sydney, back to Adel, over to Cambridge and back to Adel. I’ve staying in Melb and little sis has stayed in Adel. And mum has moved four hours out into the SA sticks. I do see/email/skype/text them all, just never all at the same time.
But one day…
xxxCate
Tai Tai says
That’s so bizarre….. I’ve just sat on the couch after exactly the same night at my parents dinner table. All 5 of us, reminiscing about old times, about stealing 1c and 2c coins from Dad’s coin stash. About Dad being locked in a cupboard when he was naughty at primary school. About buying lolly necklaces on the way to school with our pocketmoney. Such an easy, relaxed night with people who, like you say, have loved us our whole lives…. thanks for a great post x
Faith Hope and a whole lotta Love says
Sounds perfect! Yes love spending time with my parents & they love seeing their grandgirls so much. We enjoy lots of family lunches & dinners together. I think we should all live in one big house….no one else shares as much enthusiasm as me, sadly! XO
Kate says
No! But reading your post makes me realise that we need to. Just gotta convince the two in America to come back and the folks to visit the mainland and then me and Meg are here.
I am jealous. X
Kymmie says
There’s always something so good to chat about at your cafe table! I love our original family, although my parents split when I was 13yo. I have two brothers who live in the US and they both were over two years ago. It was FABULOUS. We giggled, we laughed, and we played far too much Uno. But on the whole, I remembered who I was when I was with my brothers, mum and step-dad. We have such great memories from this time together! It was good to ‘lose’ myself! And so glad you were able to as well. xx
Mama of 2 boys says
Oh this post brought on a smile from deep within, Maxabella… and a few little goose bumpeys too!
There is something SO warm and comforting whenever my nuclear-nine get together. It is rare… VERY rare… but when it happens, I’m instantly transported back to childhood and boy do I love reminiscing on those days :o)
We do have a good time together, 19 year age gap between eldest and youngest (that would be me!) taken into account… we are connected.
Looking most forward to a couple of celebrations that call for a gathering of the clan, in the coming months.
What a lovely post this is! :o)
Naturally Carol says
Nuclear family…sometimes we’re like a bunch of nuclear reactors..lol..we talk about all the ‘wrong’ things…religion, death, politics, responsibility and integrity and sometimes one or more of us react! But..we always agree to disagree or eventually even change our minds and agree..and never let our differences get in the way of our family ties…we are always family first. We don’t often get together..all of us..usually telephone conversations or in two’s or three’s cos we’re in Aus and NZ. I love them all to bits!
Posie Patchwork says
My original family of 6 is the core of all the families we married into, so we’re like the nucleus 6!! Everyone wants to meet at one of my siblings houses, not our in-laws/ husbands/ wives, it’s always my side of the family which is the strongest bond. So to get just we 6 together, near impossible, too many hangers on, the food is better, conversation more interesting & just all round more loving that what any of us has experienced with our in-laws. Plus the 14 grandchildren are always hanging around – those 14 cousins are incredibly close, i love it!! My parents are very aware at our unique bond & extremely proud.
Oh most importantly, my husband is the most popular, so i’m pretty much persona non grata at my parent’s home if i’m not bringing him along, has been like that for, um, 17 years!! They openly love him more than any of us – i know they’d keep him in any divorce, it would be my fault & i’d be left out. Love Posie
Leanne says
My parents are still my security blanket. I mean, I love my wedded family, but no one truly gets me like my folks. No one …
Lucy says
The last time was 5 years ago. (Sans Dad.) Too far. Too many children. Too many continents and borders between us.
I am glad you had such a lovely time….xx
Jade says
I miss my family so much. Not a day goes past when I don’t have at least a fleeting thought about them.
I last saw them in Early January and I hope to see at least some of them again before the end of the year when they come visiting this side of the world.
Jane@flightplatformliving says
this may sound odd but your post is very apt. i have spent time today with my much beloved dad, time in my heart and memories that is! its been 4 years today since he died and i miss him every single day. he was the glue of our family and we are all rather unravelled since loosing him. i could almost bask in the warmth of your post. so very apt to finish the day reading this. much love jane x
Sammie says
Just love catching up with my family.
Love it when its just us (we are also a 6)
And I also love it when the blow ins come too (my husband and my sisters)
It’s always fun! We laugh and have a great time.
Your post made me get a little teary. I haven’t seen my family since January… Not long now, we are having a family Easer holiday!
Thanks for your comments on my blog. What ever will be will be.
Frog, Goose and Bear says
I adore my family. They are my bestest of friends. Although my parents seperated soon after I left home. So it’s not exactly the same, but when sisters and Mum get together it is my absolute favorite time. We are all going camping together at Easter – looking forward to it a lot!
Georgie says
I really have no idea what we talk about… it’s all far too loud and generally we are talking over the top of each other to hear. Whatever the topic of conversation… it always makes me smile… Georgie x
MultipleMum says
I was expecting a post about Japan and what I got was us! How fun! I think I was a little pissy and don’t have full recollection of all things discussed but it was a great night π
Tammi says
How I long to spend time with my family…now that we are living in Perth, trips home to NZ are few and far between.
My family is very close and it’s all chatter and laughter when we get together although it hasn’t been just the eight of us since inlaws and grandchildren entered the picture π
xx
MomAgain@40 says
The older I get, the more I appreciate my family, especially since a sister and brother is staying overseas, and we don’t see them often. Trying not to call them famdamily anymore π
Lauren says
I too was expecting a post about Japan! this just happened last night! My husband couldn’t come to dinner and my sisters husband was at soccer training. so it was mum dad and my 3 sisters and me. we talked about lots of things. mainly things are going on in our lives. but we do have lots of giggles together. I especially like it when my mum laughs because her face goes all squinty and she loose the ability to breath and talk! π
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Megan Blandford says
Lovely! I went away with my parents a couple of weeks ago (although it was with my daughter, too) and just let them look after me. Undemanding (for me at least!), easy and just nice.