A friend of mine who was raising three girls while her husband worked a job that required him to be on the road 5-6 months out of the year told me that, “family means that everybody helps.”
Her comment struck a nerve with me, not because I did not believe her words, and not because I did not follow them, but because it is a simple and true statement about the fundamental nature of family.
(Picture-Cleaning up after dinner)
It makes sense. But unfortunately it's not always true.
ReplyDeleteI think I've heard this notion expressed memorably by Will Smith aka the Fresh Prince of Belair, as I'll always think of him. He was a guest on Oprah and he said something along the lines of family is a group that you are either helping or hurting and he expects his children to purposely do things that will make the family better.
ReplyDeleteProofreader, I agree and I think that is why so many kids grow up being spoiled-they were never required to do their part in running a household.
ReplyDeleteJenn, thanks for the comment. I never thought of it quite that way, but I guess it makes sense since all living beings need resources to live (food, shelter, warmth, etc.) and if you are not contributing then that means everyone else is getting less.
Interesting-
Following up on Jenn's comment, surely, it applies to the world at large, the village, or the human family. If you're not part of the solution . . .
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thoughts Trina!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should write a blog entitled:
In a world, everyone helps!
I agree with the sentiment that a helpful persona is good for families and the world at large. In any relationship, there is a give and take. You just have to make sure you are doing equal or greater amounts of giving or there will be nothing left to take!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Nicole! I agree with you that in every relationship there has to be an equitable back and forth.
ReplyDelete