The glue to your family

[gruntlabor]

When thinking of immediate family plus all extended family, my female cousin on my mother's side had big family reunions and invited everyone in the family through all the years. Had it not been for her, most of us would not have stayed in touch. She was more self confident and friendly than anyone else in the family. She passed away 6 years ago and I still miss her. Picture of her in her twenties.

View attachment 440427

She's beautiful, Mack

 

[hawkdon]

If I recall the past correctly, I think we had a major family
blowup at a time when I really was too young to know what
was going on....involved my oldest sister I believe....all I know is
after a time, siblings pretty much were absent in gatherings,,,,

 

[IrishEyes]

I guess there's no glue in my family, we've always been broken.

The only family is that is not dysfunctional has ONE member

 

[Babs2u]

Definitely my sister. She never left the home town. My dad built her house near his own. She liked to entertain and was good at it. She kept track of everyone and opened her house to out-of-towners. Her husband was a people person as well. They were an attractive and well liked couple. I miss them.

 

[jujube]

I guess if we really get down to it, I'm more sticky tape than glue, hopefully duct tape, though...

 

[MoBeans]

My family was completely unglued and not in a quirky amusing way.

 

[oldman]

Without a doubt, it would be my wife and I. We arrange almost all get-togethers and host most of the events. We had one outdoors event about 3 years ago that 38 family members attended along with 21 friends that were invited. Thankfully, we had it catered and didn't run out of food. What a party.

Normally, we do family only, but once in awhile, we have to repay favors and what is a better way than invite them to a catered party with ribs, chicken, burgers and about everything else. We limit the alcohol that is served. Our bartender keeps his eye on it. We have used these caterers for eight years and they have some great food that is prepared on site.

 

[VaughanJB]

Who is/was the glue to your family?

My family lacked glue. It was very authoritarian, and that just festered resentment.

I speak to my mother occasionally. She's now in her 90's. My siblings? I have no contact with them. My brother (older) tries sometimes, but he can't change who he is, and neither can I. Speaking for myself, I won't compromise because I see no way to do so without totally becoming subservient to ideas and beliefs I don't believe in and simply won't accept.

Of course, there is more to all this - but to answer he question, the glue was the wrong glue, and it became rancid and damaging.