Thanksgiving. The Value of Family
Photo courtesy of Marina Avila
In the United States, thanksgiving is a time for family. But what makes up a family?
Your spouse. Parents. Children. Siblings. Aunts & Uncles. Nieces & Nephews. And a few people you’re not quite sure how you are related, other than you claim them as part of the family.
Maybe you also gather with some friends, a few co-workers, or some neighbors. Can this also be considered a gathering of family?
Absolutely. The value of family is broader than you might think.
The Value of Family
As a differentiating value, Family means kin; or an association of people who share common beliefs or activities.
The reference to kin is obvious. They’re your relatives. But the second part is of growing concern – and opportunity.
For example, a group of boisterous men joking and yelling at a football game on TV could be considered family. They clearly share a common belief about football, and the activity of cheering for their favorite team (but not always the same one).
A group of women talking about shopping (yes, I’m being stereotypical), or how silly their husbands look as they watch the football game, might also be considered family, if they share common beliefs or activity.
Some argue the make-up of the American family has been changing. What hasn’t changed is each person’s desire to be part of a family.
A Different Kind of Family
A great movie to consider watching at this time of year is a British comedy-drama, called About a Boy. While it’s considered a Christmas movie, I think it applies equally well to Thanksgiving time when family – of all kinds – come together and celebrate.
The movie (released in 2002 and rated PG-13) is about a cynical, immature young man, named Will, who is taught how to act like a grown-up by a 12-year old boy, named Marcus.
Marcus lives with his chronically depressed single mother, named Fiona, and seeks whatever means to make her happy. He even tries to get Will to date his mother, but that plan fails.
Will is leisurely enjoying his comfortable lifestyle, living alone watching TV. But he ends up meeting a beautiful woman, named Rachel, who is also a single mother.
Marcus is the catalyst for change and bringing people together.
After much drama, and some terrific British humour, the movie ends with Will hosting a Christmas celebration with Marcus, Fiona, Rachel and her son Ali, plus the girl Marcus likes from school. Through the very strange turn of events, this group of individuals appear to be bonding as a family.
For me, the ending makes the movie.
So, if you value family – however it is defined – celebrate with thanks and enjoy your time together.
What other ways would you define the value of family?
What special activities will you share with family this Thanksgiving?
Today’s value was selected from the “Appreciation-Kindness” category, based on the e-book Developing Your Differentiating Values.
