For some people in the world the phrase in-laws conjures up visions of trials and tribulations, strife and struggles. Many folks feel they are suffering to spend even 1 afternoon with any in-law or, sometimes, with a specific in-law. I feel sad for these people and yet I feel very content in the knowledge that when I married Don I entered a family that, although not perfect and none are, knew how to enjoy themselves as a group.
Throughout the 46 years of our marriage we never lived closer than about 600 miles from any of them. Because of the distance, finances of a young family, and having children and their activities we were rarely able to visit any of them more often than once or twice every 2-3 years. In the past 20 years or so, several of the Chicago Smith's have dispersed to far out suburbs, Ohio, Nebraska, Kansas, and now Florida, with some nieces and nephews in Virginia and Maryland.
As is fairly common in today's world, most of the clan will gather for a funeral or wedding but don't see much of each other in between. Some of the family are trying to organize a family reunion this summer and while it's pretty far for the Nebraska, Kansas, Ohio, and Florida group to travel to, I know it will be filled with love and laughter.
While it's true that, like any other family, there have been periods of time when cohesion was just not present and there were some hard feelings among various members of the family, I think that most of that has been laid aside. Ten years ago one brother, Rickard (Dick), passed on from health problems.
Last year my dear Don passed on, also from health problems. The original 7 siblings now number 5 and, I believe, have come to the realization that time is passing quickly and they don't really know each other anymore or spend time together anymore. There were 5 boys and now there are 3, and one of them moved all the way to Florida leaving the remaining 2 that live in the distant suburbs of the greater Chicago area.
This is a family generation that has never had much closeness, only social obligations. They will now try to develop a semblance of knitting a tradition. I hope to attend the reunion and I pray it will be successful. I have a feeling that, in this case, the glue that holds a family together may not bond the whole.
Father, speak to members of this family that they will know the need for that special bond. Please nudge their realization that the sense of belonging goes beyond their small family unit and joins them to a larger family unit. May your constancy and love show this family that they, also, can be constant and loving to one another. Amen.
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