Father's Day: Reflections on Family

Wendy, Dad (Denny) and Lori.  Father's Day.
Palmer, Alaska

Normally, I would not post a picture of Lori without her permission, but this is my blog and she will never read it.  I love this photo.  It captures in a second everything that I love and admire about the Stratton family.  Dad is amazing. He sold his family business when he was in his forties and moved his entire family to Alaska.  They all agreed to it, some grumbling more than others, but they chose to stick together.  They chose to be a family through thick and thin.  They treat each other with respect.  They are kind to one another.  They laugh together.  They are not a family who dwells on an individuals problems, but neither do they ignore the pain.  They are very German, and do not discuss private matters amongst outsiders, or around each other for that matter.  They embody the philosophy of stiff upper lip, and carry on with life.

My own birth family is quite a bit different.  Everything and anything is open for discussion.  Nothing is off topic.  Discussions, even arguments can occur in privacy or out in the front yard, volume turned to full, for the majority of the neighborhood to overhear.  We don't mind.  Okay, I did, but what was I to do?  We loved each other dearly, but respect of personal space was not a priority.  Your space was my space, and vice verse.  Life happened at breakneck speed, was highly dramatic, and carried on at top volume.  Our love was full tilt, and I miss it.

I love both my families.  I love the quiet, calm, content of the Stratton family, but I also love the all out, full bore, no holds barred love of my birth family.  I need both families.  I have a big soul.  I need all the love I can get.