Feeling grateful for family

• 

Today we are gathering to celebrate my son-in-law’s birthday and I reflect on how these simple gatherings with family continue to give me joy. Yesterday, my three grand-daughters and my daughter came to my home and picked peaches. There was much silliness and laughter while each of them tried to maneuver the telescopic fruit picker. It is so refreshing how the children found joy in picking fruit with their family and how I in turn found joy in being part of the momentary craziness. It proves something I learned long ago as a single Mum with little income. It’s not how much money you spend on children, it is the value of time spent with them that they remember. Whether it’s picking peaches or a simple picnic, our time together is filled with fun, love and laughter and – I hope for them – building precious memories. Memories of the fun we have together. May we have many more years of them to come!

On Monday, we travel to Russell in the Bay of Islands to stay with my brother and his wife for a few days. Although COVID-19 nearly got in the way of our trip, it looks like we can finally look forward to our trip. My brother and sister-in-law both asked what we wanted to do on our trip. I couldn’t think of much to say in response. You know why? To me, this trip is about being with precious family members and – once again – building memories together. Everything else is incidental.

So, just like my time spent with my grandchildren, my time with my brother and sister-in-law is about being with them, not ‘doing’ with them. Whatever we do I know that our time together will be filled with love and laughter and the joy of being with people we love.

Family is everything.