Mother’s Day was no more than a week ago, a great time to gather and celebrate our mothers. And for good reason, you wouldn’t be here without her. Father’s Day is just around the corner, and we’ll soon be honoring them.
But, what about the family members you think of often (are even grateful for), but rarely get the opportunity to see? You know what I’m talking about. You never call; you never write. They’re probably wondering if you are even alive.
Well after doing a little Web surfing along the Google wave, I found out there is a day set aside for the family members we often forget. Today is Visit Your Relatives Day (a.k.a. The Often-Remembered-Seldom-Seen Relative’s Day).
Who would have thought there is an actual date for the members of our families we often think of, but rarely take the time to visit?
It happens to the best of us. We love our families, but we get so caught up in climbing corporate ladders, hoping to make the next big deal, knowing that one day our boss will see how important we are; we forget about those around us who already recognize our importance.
We end up not staying in touch for months — or even years — because of our busyness. Of course if you have a large family, taking time to visit each one of them will keep you busy for months.
I’m grateful that my family (even though there are a million Osmonds) does a pretty good job at attending weddings and Mormon mission homecomings. Although I’m sure we could be better.
So, today is set aside to visit your relatives, but getting in touch with everyone could be a Herculean task. Believe me, I’ve got way too many in my family to even think about attempting it.
Don’t worry about it. My thought is, try to contact the ones you haven’t seen for a while, or even someone you may need to get reacquainted with.
I’ve moved around a lot for the better part of my life. My travels have put me in Canada, England, both coast of the United States, as well as a few places in between. And, if there is one thing I’ve learned in my short 30 years, your family is always there for you: immediate or extended.
Think about the longest friendship you’ve ever had. Chances are that doesn’t even come close to how long you and your brother or sister have known each other.
There is a strong bond that exists within a family. That old saying, “blood is thicker than water” is so true. Even the word family can stir a myriad of emotions: the great, the good and the not-so-good.
Your family has been there through thick and thin: the best of times, and the worst of times. They know you so well, they know exactly what buttons to press to make you laugh or cry.
Because of this, it’s true there are times when you get frustrated or disappointed with each other. But, the bottom line is family relationships are strong and lasting.
That is one of the greatest blessings about a family; familial ties are everlasting. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that the family is central to our Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. Families are centered on love, togetherness and respect.
If you haven’t done so in a while, take a look at your family tree. You’ll notice a long line of people who loved each other.
So, if someone has come to mind in the last five minutes, you may want to consider stopping by for a visit, or making a phone call. However, if you haven’t seen him or her for a while, may I suggest the phone call? They might get a little surprised if you stop by unexpectedly.
