“Time together as a family is a gift.”
Joanna Gaines
Yes, I am revisiting Togetherness as it felt apt, again, this week.
For two reasons.
The first is that Pops and Mum are back after being away for four weeks in Kenya, doing the whole togetherness thing with family there. My mum lost one of her brothers during the pandemic and could not see him or grieve with her other brother at all. This visit was filled with sadness and happiness, too.
They visited many families who have lost people over the last couple of years.
Then spent quality time with my uncle and aunts.
We all know how precious and fickle life is. In your golden years that is felt even more keenly. Mum and her brother live in different countries. That distance feels bigger, now, at a time they would love to be a short drive away from one another.
However they packed many memories into the few weeks they were there, and have come back with many stories for my brother and me to listen to.
The second one is to say that family is not only blood-related.
On Friday we went out for a meal, my colleagues and I. The whole school staff were invited, and a fair few were there. It was an emotional gathering for various reasons, and one thing our Head Teacher said was that she considers us all family.
And we are.
You sometimes spend more time with the people you work with than with your own family, which is a drain. But, having that bond with your colleagues makes those long hours pass much more pleasantly. So an evening with people I had already spent the day with was still as much of a pleasure as spending time with my own family.
And, as an aside, I have my friends who are more like family, and you, my Blogily, as I always call you!
So, tell me, do you have people you consider ‘family’ outside of your blood relations?
Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!
But I Smile Anyway... 
Nov 17, 2022 @ 16:48:13
Exactly, I appreciate those who hold my hands and let me take them with them toward the future their own.
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Nov 17, 2022 @ 17:46:56
Absolutely xx
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Nov 14, 2022 @ 20:03:34
I am happy for your parents, even though the reunion was also fullfilled with the sadness of a gone relative. Reunions are great, but like here most times only on sad occasions. So we should take every chance for meeting friends. Best wishes, Michael
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Nov 14, 2022 @ 20:07:35
Thanks, Bro 💛
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Nov 14, 2022 @ 20:19:36
My pleasure, Sis! 🙂 xx
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Nov 14, 2022 @ 17:37:12
HI Ritu, I am so glad your parents had this lovely trip. We are coming to the UK this December and bringing my mom to see her family for probably the last time. She is one of the youngest and is 84. We do spend a lot of time with work colleagues. What happened to Chit and Chai today.
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Nov 14, 2022 @ 18:13:15
Oh that will be such a poignant visit, Robbie.
I had a bit of a crazy weekend, Robbie, so am off to do a late Chsai and chat now!
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Nov 15, 2022 @ 04:34:36
I’m glad all is well. I specifically look for that post so noticed it’s absence today.
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Nov 15, 2022 @ 06:10:57
I was late a couple of times this last few days, because my brain has been all over the show!
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Nov 16, 2022 @ 08:45:18
Oh dear, that can happen when we are too busy.
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Nov 16, 2022 @ 08:49:58
Too true!
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Nov 14, 2022 @ 13:25:28
What a beautiful post, Ritu! There’s family in many ways. Best to you my friend. 💕
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Nov 14, 2022 @ 15:42:56
So many ways 🥰
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Nov 14, 2022 @ 01:18:50
Yes! In fact, I call one couple at my church “Grandma” and “Grandpa.” ❤
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Nov 14, 2022 @ 06:19:19
How lovely 🥰
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 20:43:01
A beautiful share about both types of family, Ritu. I’m glad your parents brought back stories of family and that your colleagues are also your family. That’s heartwarming.
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 20:43:45
Thank you Diana. 🥰🥰🥰
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 20:28:44
I love my Blogily as well!
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 20:30:24
We have a wonderful blogily 🥰
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 18:48:34
Terrific post…we have “extended” family that goes far beyond bloodlines…people who become an integral part of your life no matter where life takes you! Happy Sunday Ritu!
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 18:53:43
That is the family we choose, John. Extra special 🥰
Happy Sunday, my friend 🥰
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 18:57:15
Happy Sunday to you!
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 18:22:35
I am with you on this. My family means the world to me and always will. But I also have friends that are like family to me as well as co-workers that I still keep in touch with. Right now a former coworker from over 30 years ago is visiting me in Spain all the way from Canada. It is like a family member is here and I am soooo happy.
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 18:27:12
Oh, how wonderful! 🤗🤗
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 17:44:28
As a proud blogily of yours I agree with the point you made about those you spend most time with, being very important to get along with as best you can 🙂 thanks
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 17:56:46
It’s foremost in my mind all the time! Thank you for joining my blogily fold 🙂
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 16:24:50
What a lovely discussion, Ritu-Sis. I’m glad you mum had the chance to visit her brothers. Life is so short… I have many friends I consider to be family. I don’t know another way to be. 💜
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 16:35:47
I’m exactly the same, Sis. I make family wherever I go 🥰
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 16:41:31
Yup. I agree. It’s makes like wonderful. 💞
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 16:45:48
🥰🥰🥰🤗🤗🤗
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 15:19:30
I’m glad Mum and Pops could make that trip and make those lasting memories. Family is those closet to us 💛
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 15:39:45
Absolutely, Brother.it was great hearing mum talking about the trip last night 🥰
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 17:46:21
💛💛💛
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 10:07:36
Yes indeed I do, a few close friends and my blogily 💜💜💜Sis 💜💜💜
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 10:10:28
Love you, Sis 💛💛💛
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 10:20:00
Love you too Sis 💜💜
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 09:51:29
I have an adopted family and none of my own, but I love all my online friends too…
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 10:10:10
Beautiful family 🤗
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 09:16:56
WE ARE BORN WITH FAMILY AND DON’T HAVE A CHOICE (WHO NEEDS IT) BUT WE GET TO CHOOSE OUR FRIENDS IN LIFE AND DEVELOP A SPECIAL CLOSENESSS WITH SOME OF THEM.WE ALSO MARRY AND GAIN FAMILY AS HAPPENS WHEN OUR CHILDREN MARRY. I’M SUPER CLOSE TO MY SON IN LAW AND I LOVE HIS SISTER..EXTRA FAMILY ARE ALL AROUND IF WE CHOOSE TO MAKE THEM SO.
huge Hugs Ritu
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 10:09:49
Absolutely right, David! Hugs, right back at you 🤗
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 06:46:20
I too consider my blogging friends more like family.
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 07:56:00
Happy to have you in my Blogily! 💛🤗
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 08:52:17
Same here my friend
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 05:55:47
I certainly do, and I think we all create our own family outside of our birth family, when out in the world. happy to be part of you blogily.
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 07:53:35
We need that community, Beth. It’s tough, without.
Love my Blogily 💛🤗
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Nov 13, 2022 @ 11:49:13
that’s so right
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