FAMILY
CURSE OR BLESSING
The last two weeks have been special!
Family was not always an easy topic for me as the biggest part of my close family is, let’s call it, rather dysfunctional. I have made my peace with that a long time ago, stopped any false pretense, and all the more and the closer I am with the part of my family that means the world to me. This includes my "big" sister and of course my two amazing children - they definitely are my blessing.
My sister has always been my rock, especially when we were little. We had an involuntary "break" for several years, which was much too long and thankfully we managed to get back to what we were and I believe even better. We have always had a very good, honest, and close relationship and until today I trust her with my life.
I haven't seen my sister for a long time and to be honest, I don't know exactly when I was with her in Switzerland for the last time. But we are in close contact and that means the world to me. My sister and her partner finally came to visit me last week and we were able to spend a few days of quality time together. Just the feeling of being able to spend time with her again was wonderful after such a long time. We went for long walks, had amazing meals together, had long talks, and simply enjoyed one another’s company. Time passes much too quickly and when we had to say goodbye again it was not even difficult (and I am really bad at goodbyes) as we both know that at the end of the day, we will let nothing separate us again - at least never for long.
My absolute highlight was that my daughter is finally home again after almost a year and a half and we had our Christmas dinner last night, exactly two months after Christmas (who cares about calendars anyway?). No matter how old children get, they remain our babies, at least that is how I feel about my children. I do respect and encourage their independence more than anything and they both make me so incredibly proud. The relationship we have is one that makes me happy beyond words. Don’t get me wrong, we have our differences and don’t see eye to eye in a lot of things. But we truly care for each other and support each other in every possible aspect. Our relationship is based on trust and respect. I am sure I have made a gazillion mistakes and embarrassed my children on more occasions than I can count. Thankfully they have been very gracious about it and are very patient with me.
"That`s what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you`re not so lovable." — Deb Caletti
I simply do not care very much about what others may think of me. Although I would never deliberately do something to hurt or bother others - especially my children. As I laugh very loud, dance through airports when I feel like it, or simply do things I enjoy, I cannot always ensure that no one takes offense. But that is a topic for a different time. I suppose it is good that I named my newsletter the Change & Evolve Letter as I feel I am drifting off a bit from my originally intended topic.
I find it horrifying how many families have been torn apart during the past two years simply because they have different views and opinions. In many aspects, I and my close family do not see eye to eye in everything but we would NEVER let that break us apart as we respect one another and believe in the freedom of choice - either way.
Children of all ages have been given the responsibility for the lives and the survival of others, especially their loved ones. I have a very clear personal view of this form of despicable cruelty:
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Family, in the best case or as I understand it, is where you should feel safe, secure, and cared for. What I have learned is that families are not necessarily biological. Blood is not always thicker than water. There are people in my life that I call family, even if there is no blood relation and vice versa. There are so many different family concepts and I think this is something really good. What does family mean to you?
"A father`s a treasure; a brother`s a comfort; a friend is both. " — Benjamin Franklin
🎶My Song of the Week
I chose this amazing song by P¡nk about how families often look great on paper but the reality is a completely different story…
You can find all the songs from the Change & Evolve Letters on this Spotify playlist!
📚My Poem of the Week
Is once again by the amazing Maya Angelou (1928-2014). In this poem, she beautifully describes that we are all different – and yet we are all one big ‘human family’, regardless of our race or attitudes. We are more alike than we are unalike - something we should remember more often.
Human Family
I note the obvious differences
in the human family.
Some of us are serious,
some thrive on comedy.
Some declare their lives are lived
as true profundity,
and others claim they really live
the real reality.
The variety of our skin tones
can confuse, bemuse, delight,
brown and pink and beige and purple,
tan and blue and white.
I've sailed upon the seven seas
and stopped in every land,
I've seen the wonders of the world
not yet one common man.
I know ten thousand women
called Jane and Mary Jane,
but I've not seen any two
who really were the same.
Mirror twins are different
although their features jibe,
and lovers think quite different thoughts
while lying side by side.
We love and lose in China,
we weep on England's moors,
and laugh and moan in Guinea,
and thrive on Spanish shores.
We seek success in Finland,
are born and die in Maine.
In minor ways we differ,
in major we're the same.
I note the obvious differences
between each sort and type,
but we are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.
We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.
We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.
👀Impressions
Another beautiful impression of Lake Starnberg 🤩
Have a great start to your weekend and spend some time with family - whoever they are for you.
Yours
Tanja 🤗