by Ashley Corbaley
“Family, like branches in a tree, we all grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one.” – Unknown
During the holiday season one thing I think about more than anything is my family. I feel especially grateful to be spending Christmas with my family and extended family across the country this year. As I reflected on the blessing that my family is to my life, I thought about the importance of extended family members. Maybe you were blessed to be with those relatives you don’t see very often for Thanksgiving. Holidays bring families together and I could not be more grateful for them.
When the holidays are over and everyone is back home, going about their normal routines, how do you maintain relationships with your relatives?
Here are a few suggestions for growing closer to your extended family:
Call
“Short frequent phone calls build a relationship more than marathon calls once a year” -Sara Hagmann
Take the time to call your relatives. Calling extended family members often who may live far away from you helps keep a good relationship and lets them know that you are interested in their lives. No matter where they may live in the world, no one is more than a phone call away.
“Much of who you are comes from your family, whether you realize it or not. Discover the connections today” –Sara Hagmann
With a little research you can dig up amazing family stories that you can be proud of. These stories can also help bring your family together. Our family is a big part of our identity. Discovering this identify is even more fun when everyone is involved in the process.
Visit
Whenever possible, take the time to visit your aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. These visits will become easier if you established a good relationship through calling them on the phone. When you visit with members of your family, take the time to truly get to know them. Find things you all enjoy and do them together.
Discover your family identity
“Much of who you are comes from your family, whether you realize it or not. Discover the connections today” –Sara Hagmann
With a little research you can dig up amazing family stories that you can be proud of. These stories can also help bring your family together. Our family is a big part of our identity. Discovering this identify is even more fun when everyone is involved in the process.
Be realistic
There are probably so many relatives that you wish you could be close to but aren’t and that is perfectly okay. If you have a feeling you should reach out to a family member, take the time to do it.
“There can be a lot of love in that small gesture. Love is what family is all about” Sara Hagmann
Love truly is what family is all about. Reaching out to relatives can help build special relationships that will last a lifetime. Grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews can be a wonderful blessing in our lives if we take the time to reach out to them.