only child in a big family

I am an only child.  Well... technically I have step brothers and sisters but being that I haven't even met one of them and they became "family" after I was of the age of 18 I don't think they count as siblings. 

On the other hand my husband is the youngest of five.  Needless to say family gatherings are a little different at his house than mine.  I still remember our first Christmas at his house, we were engaged, and present opening was a free for all.  If it had your name on it just rip it open because no one was going to wait to see you open it and your reaction.  I remember commenting how different it was from what I was use to and one of his family members snapping at me, "you better get use to it" 

I cannot lie, after 10 years of marriage I am still not "use to it".  Sure I've adapted to their traditions but I still don't like that Thanksgiving takes place at three different tables in three different rooms or that the grandchildren are expected to spend the night at the grandparent's house multiple nights in a row inevitably exhausting them and making the majority of them sick. 

But there's a flip side to it too.  I've come to enjoy the laughs that are shared as more and more wine is shared.  I've enjoyed watching the friendships that my children have created with their cousins.  And even if I'm no where near good enough to play LOTR trivial pursuit, Mt. Doom will forever live in my heart. 

And so it is what it is.  Not always easy, not always fun or comfortable, but in the end it is family and they are a huge blessing.  And I think it is pretty indicative of life.  There are things that our Lord wants us to do that are not always easy, or fun, or comfortable, but it is for him and his kingdom, and in the end we are better people for it. 

And as I look at the people around me I wonder how many will ride this wave of hard times with us and how many will refuse to sit at three different tables?  How many will stick around and accept what it is because we're family and that love should conquer all other trivial issues we may have?