Growing up, I had the kind of childhood you see in the movies, the kind kids dream of. I spent each day running around with my cousins and siblings, always surrounded by good food and even better family. But now, looking back, I wish growing up didn't mean growing apart from family.
To all of us, family was our #1 priority, even when tensions ran high, we always had each other’s backs. Not many people can say this, but I was truly lucky to call my cousins my best friends.
No matter how much time we spent together we never got sick of each other. In fact, we hated being too far away from each other for too long. We could barely go a week without spending at least a few days together.
And I can chalk that up to my grandparents who, since day one, were a rock for each and every one of us. Our lives were built around them, they were the glue that held us all together. No matter where we were, as long as they were around, it felt like home.
They lived for traditions and Sunday meals and especially quality time. Our family dinners were insane, delicious, and maybe a little bit chaotic. Passing around plates of food, telling stories, hearing about everyone's day.
In these moments I truly felt like I belonged. I could feel it in my heart this is where I was supposed to be, surrounded by the ones I love most.
After dinner, the adults would stay inside and the kids would run around the neighborhood until dark if not longer playing manhunt and occasionally ding-dong-ditch. My childhood was a dream and I literally could not have asked for a better one.
But boy, how things have changed.
Over the years we have all been through hell and back more times than we can count. From divorce to falling outs to petty family drama that couldn’t be let go of, we were forced to grow up.
Some went on to college, some went straight into work, and some became mothers and fathers and moved to a different city. Suddenly, the relationships that used to be so tight and loving started to fade.
When I look back at how things were when I was little, it literally breaks my heart knowing my future kids aren’t going to have a childhood like that.
They aren’t going to grow up surrounded by cousins their age and aunts and uncles who love them unconditionally. It’s not anyone’s fault, but I can’t imagine a life where I didn’t have mine.
They are going to grow up in a world that honestly scares me. A world where iPads and video games are more important than outside activities and family is only a priority to some.
There are so many things that I see on a daily basis that make me what to build a shelter and never come out.
I want my future children to grow up feeling like they belong, feeling like their extended family is always going to be there for them no matter what. But after all these years, I don’t know if that will be the case.
I wish time didn’t change us. I wish we could’ve grown old together and raised our kids to grow up just like us. I wish family was still a #1 priority to all of us.
But sometimes, growing up means growing apart and as hard as that is for me to accept, I know I have to.
I vow to give my future children the best childhood they could ever wish for– before the chaos of the real world sets in and they learn about the days that aren’t going to be so bright.
Because to me, those days, the days of innocence and pure happiness, the most important part of their little lives and they deserve as many of those as possible.
For more like this, check out our Facebook Page!