my Mummy and me!
Yesterday I met my Mum in Tunbridge Wells, to do a daughter exchange. One of my girlies had been staying with her since Saturday, so I brought her home and gave her another to have until Friday.
We all sat and chatted, much of it about family, and the importance of it.
Whatever we do, the bond of family is always there, to be nurtured and cherished. We may have our rows and disagreements over the course of a lifetime, but there is something very special about that glue.
I have just finished reading The Moses Code, by James Twyman, in which he observes that what we refer to as God loves us now, in this moment, regardless of what we may have done in the past. As earthly parents we are the same; we accept members of our family, and just love them. It is not something we have a choice about, I find; our hearts melt and we pour out love.
This outpouring of love would be useful to carry into all our relationships and interactions; see the best, expect the best, and the best will be reflected back to you. At times it may not come by a direct route. Just as when my kids squabble, they might not immediately recipricate, especially if receiving something unpleasant from someone larger than they are, growling instead at someone smaller, showing unconditional love to one person may not result in them showing it to you straight away but, somehow or other, everything you emit you do get back again, maybe even from a different person.
Energy bounces around like a ball, whether positive or negative.
Anyway, we sat with our drinks in the coffee shop, all of us getting a little tearful as we recounted stories of the importance of friendships and family that have affected our own lives. I, for one, met up with old family, my former in-laws who were a big part of my life but who, following my divorce I lost contact with over 10 years ago. This has been a hugely emotional experience, but wonderful. I think it seemed "proper" to leave my ex's family to him, but as he was not especially family minded, the rest of us, especially the children lost out, and cousins who could have known each other really well are only just having the opprtunity to form links. If I had my time again I would follow my heart, abandoning propriety for love.
Love is what binds us, love is what builds communities, solves problems and makes the world a better place; Love is what made the world in the first place, after all.
16/04/08 @ 17:26