by Pauline Reneaux
When I think of Easter, I always think of Family. Though my parents are no longer with me, the traditions that they started left an impact on me and my children.
Family is so much more than a word, and it is about more than just those who are our blood relatives. What’s the old saying, “You can’t pick your family, but you can pick your friends.” Some of the closest “family” we ever know are the friends that we have adopted, and who adopt us.
This is my favorite holiday because I see it as a moment in time each year where we can assess our lives and, if need be, make changes so that we can come back to life. Start over. Bloom. For that reason I decided to spend some time to identify what FAMILY means to me. I hope that my own excavation will help you to do the same in this new season.
F – Family & Friends
A – Admiration
M – Muscles & Meaning
I – Inspiration
L – Love
Y – Youth
F – Family & Friends
If we have learned nothing else from these unprecedented times, we have learned the importance of valuing our time with family and friends. We learned how much a hug means. We learned how much the little things in life mean.
A – Admiration
This time has also left me with a sense of admiration. Having loved ones in the healthcare industry, my admiration for them is immense.
M – Muscles & Meaning
If you live alone, and the last year left you isolated, you may have missed the young members of your family who help you. I also found more meaning to my life during this time. The isolation allowed me to slow down, and lean into the quiet time.
I – Inspiration
Family can inspire us. As I watched my family members work through the stress of this past year, my respect and inspiration for them was magnified. My love for my family and friends also intensified, because we all truly saw how lives could change in the blink of an eye.
L – Love
If we have learned nothing else this past year, we should have all learned that we need to love our family fiercely, remembering that “family” can consist of both relatives and friends. Having life force me to slow down, also gave me time to focus and identify what I love doing, while at the same time deciding what things in my life need to be pruned so that new opportunities could grow.
Y – Youth
Spring reminds me of my youth, and at the same time I find we all tend to have a spring in our step during this season.
Slowly, but surely, as life begins to bloom again, may we each take a moment to think about what our family means to us. May we also take the time to share our thoughts with the ones that are family or feel like family. Until next time…
Blessings, Pauline
To learn more about Pauline Reneaux, visit her blog at Pauline-Reneaux.com.
She welcomes email at paulinereneauxwrite@gmail.com.
