Monday, September 29, 2008

Family Time

I am a McDonald by marriage. A wonderful thing I have to admit. A little daunting at first - did I mention that my husband is one of six? And that there are 13 nieces/nephews and now great-nieces/nephews too? I've stopped counting.

I have to say that being an only child in no way prepared me to be incorporated into a family of 6 siblings. Wow. There are so many nuances to being part of a family - how can anyone possibly claim to know "the right way" to be a member? It's all very much a learning process for me anyway.

Recently, the McDonald siblings came together for a long overdue weekend "reunion" which was dubbed the "clamly reunion." As I watched them come together, some for the first time in many, many years, I was struck by the unquestionable ties that make up a family. No matter how different the personalities may be or how different the physical make up, there are identical gestures, facial expressions and tones of voice. Bonds that go deeper than what you can see. There are private jokes and old stories remembered and re-told. And with age, there also is acceptance, patience and wisdom. And most importantly, there is love.