Family

 

I didn’t write last week; I’m disappointed in myself. When I started this blog, I did so to establish a regular pattern of disciplining myself to spend periods of time regularly thinking about observations made and lessons learned over the last week. I have often struggled in that department – the intentional taking stock of blessings, application of lessons learned and reflections on great memories created. I hope you will help me stay true to this process; it takes a village. To Bethany, thank you for the encouragement you offered me; you got me back on track!

This morning I looked back on one of our holiday gatherings from this season. Most of my sister’s family and all my crew were able to make it. My stepmother Janie also joined us for the evening.

Our Buck Family Christmas gatherings are straightforward and consistent… a shared meal, conversation, a small gift exchange and then the highlight – a game of Left-Right-Center. We’ve been in this routine for several years now, so it seems like running from a regular playbook. This year hit differently though.

This is my second Christmas season without my dad. Wasn’t as hard as the first but still difficult and I suspect it always will be. However, the day after our gathering, my sister shared an image on social media with all our family together and a nod to me as “taking over the duties of John Buck”. At first, I chuckled realizing how much I do have in common with Dad, but I was then hit with the heavier weight of the responsibility. My dad loved presence with family.

I think what has been nagging at me the entire past few months has been the understanding of what it truly means to be family. It means chaos, periods of dysfunction, and shared pain no doubt. But also means a common bond that cannot be erased and an indescribable peace and comfort simply being in near proximity. Family is special and the role of stewarding and shepherding these relationships requires incredible intentionality.

As I enter the calendar period customarily defined by resolutions, I have one of my own. Not of things physical or financial. Rather, my resolve is to further explore the relationships that constitute my family. As the world around us changes and each generation practices their own unique characteristics (regardless how frustrating I might find them!), I refuse to let the core value of family dissipate. Family is special and cultivating healthy and thriving family dynamics is a calling I want to pursue and become better at.

For those who do not currently feel the unique bonds of family, please let me know. I’d welcome the opportunity to help you find relationships to lift your life into a peaceful, fulfilling rhythm that brings your calm and confidence as you face the storms of life. There are many in Lisa’s and my lives that may not have been born into our family fabric, but we have found ways to welcome them and embrace them as if they were. I know for each of you, those relationships are available and accessible; the path to finding them just might look a little different.

I wish each of you a happy new year and truly appreciate having you as part of my village.