Family Matters

Today is Thursday's Final Exam: Family Matters from Travelin'Oma.

What's your opinion on family matters? Answer these questions yes or no.
1. I usually celebrate my birthday with family. Yes
2. I try to participate in my extended family functions and gatherings. Yes
3. If my friend's birthday and my nephew's birthday fell on the same day, I would go to my nephew's birthday party. No
4. I would love to spend New Year's Eve with my family. Yes
5. Most of my movie outings and picnics are with family. Yes
6. I know all my cousins. Yes
7. In case of any great news, I inform my relatives (siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.) first. Yes 8. If I have any problems, I share them and consult with my family. Yes
9. My family is a good support to me. Yes
10. I support family members in their times of need. Yes
11. I can name my children's best friends. Yes
12. I can name my partner's best friends. Yes
13. I know what stresses my partner is currently facing. Yes
14. I know the names of some of the people who have been irritating my partner lately. Yes
15. I can tell you some of my partner's life dreams. Yes
16. I can tell you about my partner's basic philosophy of life. Yes
17. I can list the relatives my partner likes the least. Yes
18. I feel that my partner knows me pretty well. Yes
19. When we are apart, I often think fondly of my partner. Yes
20. My partner really respects me. Yes
21. I respect my partner. Yes
22. I notice what my partner does for me and express appreciation. Yes
23. My partner generally likes my personality. Yes
24. I like my partner's personality. Yes
25. At the end of the day I am glad to see my partner. Yes
26. I listen respectfully to my dad, even when we disagree. Yes
27. I am beginning to understand my mom. Yes
28. I check up on my married siblings often. Yes
29. I have developed friendships with my brothers/sisters-in-law. Yes
30. I occasionally call my aunts and uncles just to say hi. No
31. I am trying to forgive family members who have treated me poorly in the past. Yes
32. I know my grandmother's maiden names. Yes
33. I know my great-grandparent's names. Yes
34. My kids know what my dad did for a living. Yes
35. I am consciously trying to strengthen my family. Yes

Think about the questions you answered "no." Do they matter to you?
Question 3 – we don’t usually celebrate birthdays with our nieces and nephews on the exact day. If one of them called and specifically asked if I would attend, then I would choose that over my friend.
Question 30 – All of my aunts are dead, and only one uncle is still living.

Essay Questions:
1. Name five qualities of your mom or dad that you most respect and admire.
I’ll refer you to a post about each of them: my mom here, and my dad here.

2. Which of those qualities are also true about you?
Like my mom, I like to laugh – which to me means enjoying life. Recently an old high school friend, whom I haven’t seen since high school, connected with me on Facebook. She said, “I remember laughing together a lot in high school.” That made me feel good. I want people to think of me as a happy person.

I would like to be as patient and kind as my dad. I don’t think I’m all the way there yet, but I’m working on it.

My parents are all about people being the most important part of life. That’s how I feel, and I hope my actions match my ideal.