I thought I'd share

This is an assignment I had to turn in for my "Marriage and Family" class with Julie Cole. I thought that the family might enjoy it as it is all about us.

Delores Curan describes the healthy family in three different areas: 1) basic beliefs, 2) interpersonal relationships, and 3) family culture. Included in her ingredients of family culture are shared responsibility, shared sense of play and humor, and shared table time and conversation. I grew up in a family that was strong in each of these areas. We were taught that we were a team and that everyone had to do their part. This was particularly emphasized in our chores. Everyone was expected to pull their own weight. We were taught to pick up after ourselves and then do a little extra. We worked together, but we also played together. Friday night was designated as our family night. We would have pizza and watch a movie or play a game. There are particular movies, mostly classics, that our family enjoys watching together. We love all sorts of games. There is a group of us that loves Monopoly and for which it is a serious and ritualistic affair. Whenever we older children come home, we all know that there will be an epic Monopoly game played during which all manner of deals and “contracts” will be made. Even so, we are pretty light-hearted about it and enjoy ourselves. However, not everyone in my family enjoys Monopoly. But the whole family does enjoy Pictionary, Charades, Mafia, and Twister. Picture nine siblings of ranging ages, heights, and weights all on one Twister board. It’s intense and fun. Some of my brothers take to subtly leaning their weight over on those of us who are older and yet have smaller frames. At the same time my squirming younger siblings are nearby, possibly knocking off my precarious balance as well. It’s twister like you’ve never experienced before. In addition to family games, we enjoy family meals and conversations. We were all homeschooled. I looked forward to lunch time most days because we older kids would linger over lunch; talking, joking, and exchanging ideas. It was perhaps an attempt to put off the inevitability of lunch clean-up. Even so, we were growing closer. Dinner time included the whole family and would also extend into post-eating conversations. We enjoy each other’s company immensely. Times when the whole family is together are longed for and savored.