Neither husband or I have big families. If we were part of an actual family tree, it would probably be a bit stunted or maybe compact is a better word. Branchy but not full. Maybe like a small bonsai.
Some branches have been clipped over long forgotten arguments, others have fallen off due to distance, with oceans separating them. Others have simply died off from a lack of love. That happens with trees. And families as well.
I’ve sometimes looked at larger families and felt a twinge of envy for the camaraderie that seems to exist. Always a cousin or a sibling to bounce things off, to share things with. Big gatherings at Easter and Christmas, a long list of traditions influenced by this motley group of personalities and histories.
Yet, a smaller family isn’t a bad thing. Less personalities to cater for, more time for each other. Not as pulled in different directions. And over time we’ve extended the family to include friends, who are now included in mix, whether they like it or not.
And as for traditions, we’ve simply built our own. Easter in particular has been a time for the three of us; husband, Poss and me. Over the years we’ve gone camping, away with friends or simply shared the day together.
Placed at the end of term one, since Poss started school, this time has been even more important. It’s like a re-set button after all the stress of getting back into the school year; a chance to stop and gather our bearings again before the rest of the year.
Appropriate given the traditional meaning of Easter: a time for re-birth and renew. Hence the chickens, eggs and bunnies. Or something like that.
This year has been a bit different.
Husband has been away with his parents interstate, leaving Poss and I at home by ourselves. So the little things we’ve always done as a three, have been put on hold and instead, Poss and I have had make up our own.
So, we’ve filled the time with endless episodes of Full House (remember that 90’s show? It’s Poss’ new favourite and I’m not complaining) and a Harry Potter marathon on Foxtel. We’ve baked, and eaten. We’ve ridden our bikes and walked the dog. We’ve napped. We made soup. We hunted for easter eggs and spent time with my parents.
While it’s not been our standard Easter, it’s been just what we needed nonetheless. With only two of us in the house, the needs of each have become easier to meet. I’m sure there’s some complicated social maths in there somewhere.
Whatever. While it’s been nice, we’ll be doing the airport run tonight and our family will be complete again. And with a school holidays still stretching ahead of us, I’m sure we’ll make up the time and reclaim some of those traditions.
How do you spend the Easter break? Any traditions that always need to be upheld?
Sounds like a perfect break to me!