Family Moment Monday-- extended family bonds.

Every year my brother, my sister, and I (and one close family friend) take a one week vacation together.  This makes for usually ten cousins to spend time with each other, as well as the aunts and uncles.

I happen to be on this vacation at this very moment, so it's very convenient that it's Family Moment Monday, sponsored by Motherhood for Dummies

We are at a large home a short hike from Lake Michigan.  It's a lovely, big house, gorgeous setting, and very comfortable.  Well, it's comfortable now.  Last night when we lost power during a thunderstorm in the late afternoon and it was out for 11 hours.....well, let's just say I was ready to come home.  Although the kids had a ball playing hide-and-seek in an unfamiliar house in total darkness.

Today is a different story.   As every year, this week strengthens the ties that bind.  There is unconditional love here.  The cousins LOVE spending this time together.  We aunts and uncles love reconnecting with our nieces and nephews and with each other.  (None of us live in the same town.  We have three states represented here.)

Everyone is relaxed.  Our goal is just to hang out and spend time with each other.  

It's just family members loving each other and having fun together.

Young and old enjoy each other's company.

But these family moments are not just about having a fun vacation together.  It's about loving each other and being loved.  As my brother once said about one of the kids who had just had a meltdown (He was much younger at the time.)  He's our Joseph (not the real name ).  No matter what he does, he's our Joseph.  

And that's the way it is.  These kids consider these cousins some of their best friends.  There is unconditional acceptance.  Family unity is reinforced.  What is lost by distance is knit back together again by a week of 24-7 togetherness.

I believe each child leaves knowing he is part of a family and that he occupies a position no one else could replace.  Self esteem is built up.  But most importantly, each child knows that this is my group.  

These are my people.