Growing up with a big family is definitely a unique experience. Everyone, no matter what size their family is, has their own quirks, dysfunctions, and craziness. Yet in a big family, that quirkiness seems to be magnified. There's sometimes too many relatives to keep track of, and over the years you get marriages and births that add even more members. The chaos that comes with big families is sometimes too much to handle, but most of the time, the good's out way the bad's and you can't imagine life without them.
I was one of the youngest kids in my family for quite some time, and it wasn't always easy. Luckily, I had a group of cousins that were around my same age, and we stuck together like glue. At parties and family gatherings, we were always the ones at the kids table...and that still holds true to this day in some cases. We would find any place possible to get away from the loud adults and play games. In other cases, we had to stick together against our older cousins that liked to tease and mess with us. In the end, all of the cousins would come together and hangout, and it would be so much fun. I always looked up to my older cousins, and being around them so much growing up has helped us stay in touch no matter where we all are.
As I got older, I began to see more of what can really go on in a big family, and it's not always good. Everyone always knows what's happening in everyone else's life, and your whole family can know something about you before you tell even your closest friends. Gossip and rumors can be easily spread, and sometimes honesty is forgotten. This can lead to arguments, bickering, or sometimes big, loud fights that take a few days to recover from.
Despite this occasional negativity, I also began to really understand just how important family is. While fights and arguments can sometimes be really bad, they only last for so long. Things can be hashed out quickly, apologies can be made, and life can move on. Half the time, if there's any argument in my family, it can lead to laughing, crying, or both, and then making up. Fights are temporary, and we all know how important we are to each other, so being able to love each other no matter what is extremely important. I am fortunate to have learned that from my parents and my extended family.
To add to the numerous amount of quirks that we have, we also all live in the same area. A day never goes by when I don't see or hear from one of my relatives, and that's how it was growing up too. I never knew anything different, and it's amazing! You always get tons of birthday cards and phone calls, and so many people to celebrate means having multiple family gatherings every year. I can't remember one holiday or party that has been boring. Over the years, we've also added new family members. While there's always a sort of warming up period on both sides, we all accept each other for who we are, and it makes our bonds stronger.
So, big family, here's to you. There's never been a dull moment with you, and some of my fondest memories have been the times I've been lucky enough to share with you all. We may fight, tease, and prod into each other's lives, but that's how we function as a family. It doesn't diminish the amount of love we all have for each other, and I wouldn't want my life to be any other way.
