Family. For some this word brings a smile to our face and warms our heart. We think about our lifetime of precious memories spent with members of our family. For others, the word family may bring about feelings that are a bit more “hot and cold.”
It’s not an easy word to define, because family is not limited to merely blood relation. Rather we like to think that close friends and loved ones who have come into our life along the way can also be considered a special part of our family. Family is what you make it!
No matter who you call family, there’s one thing for sure, the support of family is important to have at every in life – young, old and everywhere in between! Here’s why…
- Family has been with you since day one.
Birth parents, step parents, adoptive parents, whoever you looked to as “mom” and “dad” growing up surely made a lasting impression on your life. As they age, you now want to care for them in the same way they cared for you as a child. It’s what family does! We love and support those who have loved and supported us.
- Through thick and thin, family ties run deep.
Yes, families can hit hard times. Relationships can tarnish and tear apart. It’s never easy, but reconciliation within a family is one of the most beautiful things that can happen in life. At the core of it, you’re family and these ties run deep. We need family at every age because the unique support system that comes from family cannot be easily replicated.
- Family is your link back to many, many generations before you.
What better way to learn about your great-great-great relatives than to talk with the oldest living generation of your family? Reminiscing is healthy and therapeutic for an aging loved one as much as it is enlightening and inspiring for younger generations. We need family at every age to continue to pass along these priceless memories!
- You feel an instant, deep connection with family
Those who have spent a long time (maybe a lifetime) away from a member of their family and are finally reunited can tell you about the instant, deep connection they feel upon meeting. There’s something about being family that ties souls together. This is why these relationships must be nourished and protected at every age.
- It’s amazing to see similarities spread across generations.
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of looking back through old family photos and finding a distant relative who shares your features, you know that the genetics that tie family together are something very special! Personality traits are also passed down! Seeing parts of an older family member live on through a younger generation is every reason why we thrive on family relationships at every age.
- Family represents a lifetime and beyond of memories
The memories you make today with family will live on through the stories and photos you share with your future generations. This makes every moment that much more special. It’s also the reason why we should invest in spending time with family to deepen our bond and create lasting memories.
- Family makes us feel connected.
No matter what stage of life, it’s our human desire to want to feel connected in some way. Family provides this connection to all ages, from young children, teenagers, adults and seniors. When we are surrounded by family we feel instantly connected to those around us and it’s a reminder that we have a purpose and that we are loved.
Do you agree that family is important at every age? Share an example as to why!
