Thursday, December 2, 2010

The Family Compound

The past few months have been a whirlwind of various members of the family coming for a visit.  And it has been wonderful! 

Mom was here from Japan (for two whole weeks!):


Nana, a retired elementary school principal, was visiting from Boston:


Not only did I benefit from having an extra set of hands around (the lawn got reseeded, clothes got sewn, dishes got washed, meals got cooked) but Mayumi flourished under their attention and loving care.  Every night I would get into bed and feel so thankful and I would ask Mr. Q "Why do we move away from our families?"

Seriously, why do we?  Why do my best friends (aka my sisters) live on the other side of the country and my mom on the other side of the world?  Why does it take us 9 hours to drive to see my in-laws? 

I don't think we were intended to live all by ourselves in our little family units.  Yes, we have found a wonderful community here full of loving, supportive friends and neighbors, but nothing compares to the helping, kind hands of a grandparent, or the bedtime stories told by a favorite Auntie, or playing with your cousins.  Am I the only one who wants to live next-door to my entire family on some sort of farm compound? 

I used to be a bit critical of those high school friends of mine who never left the town they grew up in and lived down the street from their parents (sorry, so sorry!).  I was destined for cosmopolitan adventures.  And apparently a lot of loneliness and frustration, I suppose.  I envy those of you whose parents are a regular part of your children's lives.  If we can make it happen one of these days, we will.

In the meantime, Baba come back!  We miss you!

6 comments:

ginger said...

Yes. Yes and yes.
Can we join your compound?

MamaM said...

The older I get, the more I long to be near family. We just need to choose a place. Hawaii?

Ye Stewart Clan said...

Oh this post spoke to my heart. I think that is one thing that will make heaven what it is, I won't have to choose between my family and my friends. We will ALL be together.

Sofia's Ideas said...

I share this sentiment with you. My parents retired to Indonesia and we have only seen them twice in the last 7 years. I hate the fact that they are not part of my & my children's daily lives. I miss the days when we lived 5 minutes away from each other and our lived intertwined. It saddens me, often.

MamaQ said...

i know! the dilemma is how to make it happen. there would obviously be some sacrifice involved and some would lose more than others. i must admit that i put the pressure on my sisters to move back east and live near me, but my husband often reminds me that maybe it should be us moving out to be near them. i just don't know if i can sacrifice THAT much... living in the desert mountains and leaving my beloved forests and humidity?
so this is my plea - please come to me because i am too selfish to go to you!!!

Stephanie said...

I'd live close to my family.
Not in the same house, mind you... but definitely on the same land. :)