Today is my son Eian's 12th birthday. This is also the 12th anniversary of my brother Michael and wife Megan's wedding. Two very important days in our family's life.
When so much of what we do around holidays, birthdays. and anniversaries involve buying things, it's nice to know that just appreciating what we have and who we are is enough.
Today, my wife, daughter, and son went to my in-laws to have brunch. A big meal was cooked--both vegetarian and carnivorous--so that all pallettes were satisfied. Eggs, biscuits, ham, fruit, hot chocolate, and funny presents (I'm not sure if they were meant to be--but thanks for Eian's sweatpants, Grandma) gave way to gales of laughter and time appreciating each other. It wasn't Walton-esque, but we did take a moment to drink it all in.
The most important stuff, of course, is the laughter. Although Eian is geting to the age whre hanging out with mom and dad is no longer all that cool, we do have a very good time together as a family. Whether it's the jokes we tell about each other or the rolling on the floor tickle fests, our family is pretty tight. I would say that we are closer than my family was when I was growing up.
As we enter the holdiay season, especially winding down at schools across the land, think about ways that your family can be even a little closer--without bribing them with gifts. What kinds of neat things can you do that do not cost a lot or anything at all? If you have a classroom, think of ways that this can be replicated for the children and colleagues that you work with.
