I come from a pretty big family. It’s like a family tradition to have numerous kids. My mom came from a family of seven, my dad has six siblings and I am one out of five kids. You do the math. Family reunions are always fun, but it's like a puzzle too, you are trying to understand who all fits where in the jumble of branches connected to the family tree.
Living in a big family is different, and here are some things that anyone who comes from a family as big as mine knows to be true:
1. Once you hear the clang of silverware and plates, run. It’s survival of the fittest and you want to make it to the dinner table first.
2. Having to ask if you are related to a crush before dating them. When there are numerous branches stemming from the family tree, you need to make sure you’re not head over heels over a cousin. This has almost happened to me once, thank goodness for different versions of names!
3. Your parents mixing you up for your siblings. It’s Dad who makes this mistake in our family. He will look at me and go through the whole line up, “Kate – wait, Em – Hope – Reese.. Kate – Brendan – dang it! Kate!”
4. The endless supply of hand-me-downs. Hand-me-downs from your older sibling, hand-me-downs from a cousin, hand-me-downs from your mom — the whole enchilada.
5. Family reunions are full of memories you don’t remember. Cousins or other relatives will start off the conversation "Do you remember when?" or, "I remember when you were this *demonstrates past height* big." Just smile and nod. I’m kidding that’s rude. Ask the said relative questions. You also learn stories of your family which is really cool and you might remember what they are discussing pertaining your adorable toddler self.
6. Food, glorious Food. Every family gathering, even with first cousins, aunts and uncles is full of food. The tables are cluttered with plates of entrees and the dining rooms are crammed with relatives. You have to get your chair at just the right angle to sit with family.
7. Birthdays. Your Facebook constantly reminds you of a family birthday. You have never known the term ‘unbirthday’ because of how many dates are taken up by the celebration of a family members life. I, myself, share my birthday with a cousin.
Overall, my family is what makes me who I am today. As corny as that may sound, and I apologize for that. Even though it’s pretty much the Tree of Life with all of the varying members I love listening to the stories that taught someone a lesson or is just hilarious. I love being part of a cluster that is known by others, I love the names attached to who I am as a person. They are all beautiful names and I’m always interested in looking up the origin of the surnames to find out more about us. Ancestry.com and other heritage related websites will soon get my money. Anyway, family, big or small, is a great thing.
