Amanda Jimenez

Family

               In many cultures, including mine, family is very important. Family includes people you count on in your time of need and are always around when needed. However, this is only possible if you continue to keep in touch with your relatives, are able to communicate with them, and are able to forgive. This is a lesson I have learned from my own family the hard way. This is why I feel it is important for other’s to realize what they are losing when they do not see the importance of relatives.

               For instance, I have a large family with many cousins, aunts, and uncles. When I was younger I would see all of them every other weekend. We would get together for someone’s birthday, a barbeque during football or basketball season, or for any holiday or special occasion. Basically, there was always an excuse for the family to come together, and I was very happy and fond of it. At these meetings, I would often socialize with all my family members, and we would share secrets or personal information with one another. My cousins and several aunts and uncles were then not only family, but my best friends. However, as time passed grudges and disrespect grew within my family. Arguments about the past were held more often than not, and less and less people began to show up for our regular family meetings. Overtime, a couple of my uncles moved far away, and my cousins and our close relationship taken with them. Even though they will not admit it, I know they chose to move away to avoid the terrible history they had now created with their own brothers and sisters. It was very disappointing and sad to have to let go of my best friends.

               This experience has taught me many things about family. I realize family is important and should be valued due to the positivity it brings. With family, you are able to open up to them, and have someone you can count on. This way if anything ever goes wrong in your life, there are people willing to lend you a helping hand, or a shoulder to cry on. The time I spent without my close relationship with family was very difficult. I had many hardships I had to often face alone. I had several friends, but they could not seem to understand, because they were not raised similar to how I was. Also, they just had a difficult time understanding my personality, where as my family members sometimes knew more about me than I did. I regret the fact that our relationship was pulled apart, and mostly that neither of us tried to fix it. However, a family relationship is delicate, and it needs love, communication and forgiveness. I appreciate the family I keep in touch with now, and therefore hope to reunite with my other relatives in the future.