Extended Family

I was telling a friend a few days ago that I was just in Hong Kong to witness the nuptials of my cousin Faiman and Camil, to which this friend commented that I had an extremely large extended family. I think that for some in my generation, a sizeable extended family is not too uncommon. Both my parents have numerous siblings, my grandparents too. The question is whether we make the effort to nurture relationships with such family members. 

The truth is, there are many relations whom we have already lost touch with, otherwise, my family would be even bigger. My aspiration is always to keep in touch with those who I have established relationships. It is not always easy. There are time constraints, at times language barriers, there is the distance for some, apathy from others, well, we can make as many excuses as we want to. But for those who make the effort like I do, I reciprocate. And the nascent bonds at the onset hopefully develop into long-lasting ones. 

There are those who are averse to building such relationships. I am not one of them. And as time catches up with us, the more I realise how important it is to have such family in my life. And therein lies the promise. 

Camil and Faiman at their wedding at Tin Shui Wai in Hong Kong.