Family DInner

What has happenned over the years that we have all become so busy that we can't spare time to get together as a family anymore? Are our jobs that important? Is our free time that important? Shouldn't getting together with our families be more important than that selfish, self-serving crap? For years I have loved having my sister and my dad over for dinner...not that I love cooking, but I have always loved the idea of sitting down together around the table for a meal. I would do it every night if I could.

My dad understood the importance of this tradition. He would find time for us whenever we asked. he would cook the family dinner for us on a regular basis. He never complained, no matter how tired he was, if he worked all day, or if he wasn't feeling well. He loved more than anything, getting together with his kids, or gathering at his uncles house. My thoughts on this are that because he grew up in a very poor and hard time, he spent a lot of tie away from his brothers and mother....he valued the time he spent with us. He was never ever in a bad mood, he was always the most patient person and he smiled, laughed and joked non stop. He found joy in everything.

On the complete opposite side of the spectrum....my sister and I have bugged my mom for years that we want to spend more time with her, and have often asked/begged/pleaded with her that she make weekly dinners for us so we can get together. Well....thats not going to happen. She is a big shot banker and is "so tired" and "deserves free time". Please don't ever let me get to a point in my life where spending time with my daughter is a burden to me. My mom compensates by buying us things...offering monetary compensation. She is a good person but I beleive her priorities are not in order. See...my mom grew up in a loving, picture perfect family with fantastic parents and a mom who would still do everything for her given the chance. My mom had the "family dinner" life...and now takes it all for granted.

I realize that this is more important than ever now that I have a child. My child doesn't have any of my husband's family in the country and I want to create a great family life for her.....guess I will have to create traditions with just us and my sister.