I love your intentionality about family. I come from an “out of sight, out of mind” family and we see each other sometimes no more than once a year (and we’re all in Mississippi except for one sibling who lives next door in Alabama.) I bet your mother-in-law has found a great deal of comfort in having all of y’all near her in her loss. It’s beautiful to see.
This is lovely. I appreciate your honesty as you navigate family scattered yet still remaining close. It is about being intentional and held by a great Love!
Loren, it has been a summer of loss here as well. I'm so sorry about the loss of your father-in-law, yet encouraged by your faithful testimony of a loving family. God is good. I am a WB fan, but the only novel I have read is Hannah Coulter. I would love to talk more about your thoughts on this book!
This resonates so much with me! I am a second generation wanderer, but my extended family on my mother’s side (the only side we were close to) was a stay in one place and spend all the holidays together type of family. On some level, I have always yearned to be a part of that. When my grandfather passed away I had just started college and flew in for the service. An Aunt gave a nice eulogy where she described each member of the extended family’s relationship with my grandfather. I was described as being a sweetheart, though I lived so far away. Coming on the heels of my cousin being described as a “jewel”, I was deeply hurt. My relationship was summed up as being distant. But I didn’t feel distant from him. I did sometimes feel like we were second string relatives who had to do the visiting, traveling thousands of miles a year, but I wanted to. As my husband and I established our own household we decided to keep a guest room so that we could have relatives visit more easily. I almost said out-of-town relatives, but for most of our marriage all of the relatives were out of town. Out of state. With brothers in the army, out of country from time to time. We have tried to emphasize quality over quantity where these relationships are concerned, but I sometimes wonder what my mother’s childhood was like living with multiple relatives on the same street. Seeing grandparents, aunt and uncles, and cousins all the time. I’ll never know, but I spend plenty of time praying for all those people I don’t see often and I see them as I can.
Sorry this turned into a novella, your post touched a chord.
I love your intentionality about family. I come from an “out of sight, out of mind” family and we see each other sometimes no more than once a year (and we’re all in Mississippi except for one sibling who lives next door in Alabama.) I bet your mother-in-law has found a great deal of comfort in having all of y’all near her in her loss. It’s beautiful to see.
Sometimes I feel like we’re really “out of sight, out of mind,” too. I guess there is some element of purposeful connection, though.
This is lovely. I appreciate your honesty as you navigate family scattered yet still remaining close. It is about being intentional and held by a great Love!
Loren, it has been a summer of loss here as well. I'm so sorry about the loss of your father-in-law, yet encouraged by your faithful testimony of a loving family. God is good. I am a WB fan, but the only novel I have read is Hannah Coulter. I would love to talk more about your thoughts on this book!
And I’m sorry you’ve had loss this summer, too 😔
We should chat! I’m always up for book talk!
This resonates so much with me! I am a second generation wanderer, but my extended family on my mother’s side (the only side we were close to) was a stay in one place and spend all the holidays together type of family. On some level, I have always yearned to be a part of that. When my grandfather passed away I had just started college and flew in for the service. An Aunt gave a nice eulogy where she described each member of the extended family’s relationship with my grandfather. I was described as being a sweetheart, though I lived so far away. Coming on the heels of my cousin being described as a “jewel”, I was deeply hurt. My relationship was summed up as being distant. But I didn’t feel distant from him. I did sometimes feel like we were second string relatives who had to do the visiting, traveling thousands of miles a year, but I wanted to. As my husband and I established our own household we decided to keep a guest room so that we could have relatives visit more easily. I almost said out-of-town relatives, but for most of our marriage all of the relatives were out of town. Out of state. With brothers in the army, out of country from time to time. We have tried to emphasize quality over quantity where these relationships are concerned, but I sometimes wonder what my mother’s childhood was like living with multiple relatives on the same street. Seeing grandparents, aunt and uncles, and cousins all the time. I’ll never know, but I spend plenty of time praying for all those people I don’t see often and I see them as I can.
Sorry this turned into a novella, your post touched a chord.
I hear you, Jennifer! I love your perspective, and I can relate to it. (And we have a specific guest room, too!)