FAMILY LIFE

‘You can never have enough friends’ is something I have heard people say for years, and it is true, it is wonderful to have friends, but a true friend is someone who is there for you, without actually having to be there.

My family are my ready made friends – I don’t have to be with them every day, but sometimes when you need a little lift, you can invite yourself for dinner, you can have a family bbq and air your opinions, you can just sit in each other’s company not saying a word, but still understanding each other - this is not to say that we are always in total agreement – we are all strong characters in my family – thanks to our Mum and Dad.

This photo of Mum and Dad was taken around 20 years ago.

Dad has always taught us to question everything and find out things for ourselves - he taught us to appreciate music, art and literature - he has showed us how to be independent and make our own ways in the world - he is honest and hardworking - he is supportive of us when we have ideas to better ourselves - he can be stubborn at times (a characteristic most of us in our family have) - he is happiest when surrounded by his family - he loves laughter and was always trying to make us laugh as children (jumping about in his Y fronts with a colander on his head!!) - he is the font of all knowledge and he is a wonderful Father and Grandfather to his 7 Children and 13 Grandchildren.

Mum has always been the practical one - a bit of a worrier - always trying to save a penny here and a pound there - she has showed us how to cope with every day life - how to cook and clean - how to make do and not be wasteful - she has a thirst for life and loves nothing better than to sing one of her favourite Conchita Piquer or Maria Dolores Pradera songs, whilst cooking a family favourites such as Paella or Pollo en pepitoria (Chicken in a peanut and peppercorn sauce) – she writes beautiful Spanish poetry, full of her love for her hometown Sueca and her childhood dreams and she is the world’s best person to listen to your problems when you are a bit down.

When I hear about other people’s relationships with their families I am thankful that I have been born into a close and loving family and am sad that some will never know the pleasure and comfort this brings.

The photo above was taken about 20 years ago, when we were all younger and slimmer.

It’s too hot and I have too much time to sit and think about stuff, but my sentiments are genuine.

STOP ALL THE WARS
STOP ALL THE FIGHTING
LOVE AND RESPECT EACH OTHER
TOLERATE EACH OTHER’S DIFFERENCES
ENJOY YOUR LIFE

Peace and Love Jo xx