This past weekend, my fiancé and I, took a trip to Pennsylvania, to spend time with his grandmother. I had such a great time that day. We went out for lunch, at her favorite restaurant, called Longhorn Steakhouse. We then, went back to her place, so she could show us pictures from the past. We just sat there and talked for a couple hours.
On the ride home that night, I was reflecting on the days events, and I couldn't help but think about how much, family life, has changed over the years. I come from a big Italian family. My grandmother, was one of eleven children. I have a bunch of cousins, second cousins, second aunts and uncles, and, probably even some third cousins. However, you wouldn't exactly know that about me, unless you knew me, growing up. I haven't even seen, nor spoke, to most of my family, in over ten years.
When I was young, my family would all gather at one place. Usually, my grandmother's house on Sunday afternoons. Typically, the women would be in the kitchen cooking the food and talking, and the men, would be in the living room watching football, golf, or basketball. My cousins and I, would either be in the kitchen with the women, or playing with each other in the front room. When it was mealtime, all of the adults, would gather at the dining room table, and all of the children, would sit at the kitchen table, which was deemed " the kids table". Then we would start eating.
This wasn't your typical meal either, this was an Italian feast. We'd usually have salad, antipasto, rigatonis, homemade sauce, meatballs, pork neck bones with sausage, chicken or veal parmigiana. Enough food to feed an entire army and then some. There were at least, five different desserts to choose from, complete with coffee or tea. After dessert, we'd just sit around, and talk for hours. I loved when we all spent time together. "Sunday dinner," has to be, one of my favorite childhood memories. It was something I always looked forward to.
Unfortunately, about 10 years ago, my family was torn apart, due to arguments, and disagreements. They still, to this day, continue to hold grudges over. Personally, it makes me really sad when I think about it. I don't think, I'll ever understand, why they can't just forgive, and forget, and move on from the past.
I'm starting to realize, that it's our whole generation, not just my family, that doesn't really understand, nor care, about the importance of family. Some of my fellow millennials', get annoyed, when their family members try to contact them, or want to spend quality time together. While, I totally understand their point of view, sometimes life is just plain busy, and you might barely have enough time for your own little family. What most of my peers, fail to realize, is that our family members, will not be around forever.
I've just recently turned 29 years old, and I've already had some of the most important people in my life, go up to heaven. I can't tell you, how many days, I've sat, and wished, that I could just pick up the phone, and dial their number, to make plans to visit them. It's one of those things in life, that you tend to not realize, until it happens to you. Not spending enough time, with the people in my life, who have now passed on, will always be my biggest regret.
If you are able, to pick up the phone, and make plans with a family member or a loved one, I cannot stress how lucky you are. I urge my fellow millennials' to start making more time, to visit family that maybe you haven't seen in a while. Also, if your family is in a feud like mine, I urge you, to do what you can to build the bridge to forgiveness, and start mending your family relationships. Life is short, and, all we have is the present, family is important, so love them unconditionally. You don't want to have regrets.
