Family Christmas Parties and Resulting Sickness

We had the Keller family reunion over the holiday.  It was a lot of work and I hope my kids had fun.  I guess I need an attitude adjustment.  I'm not sure what good it did.  I would have enjoyed immediate family time a lot more.  Or maybe just one day with the extended family.  Multiple days seems to multiply the stress.  Some people say ornery things when they are tired and stressed, so I guess I need to be thicker skinned.  The human race is way too judgmental and gossipy!!!  I come away inspired and encouraged when I am around some people.  I feel like I encourage other people, which is nice too.  But this just seemed like a lot of work for neither to happen.  Maybe someone was encouraged or some good memory was formed or some relationship strengthened for the good.  I was not aware of this happening.  Somehow we need to improve reunions.  Somehow we need to improve relationships.  Watching movies together and eating together doesn't move us forward or together.  Let alone going forward together.  I pray we can figure this out and really become the family our Heavenly Father wants us to be and do what he wants us to do.

Here's my plan as of right now!  I am going to keep in closer contact with my family throughout the year.  I will make sure they know I respect, admire, and appreciate them.  I will continue to only speak good of them to everyone else.  I will not be hurt when the favor isn't returned.  I will live how I feel is right and not waste a second worrying about what other people feel or say about it.  I will imagine what good we could do as a family if we were united.  I will pray to know how to be a better daughter and sister.  I will follow the prompting I will receive. Then I won't fuss about it not being enough for my parents and siblings.

One little guy had the stomach flu while at the reunion.  Of course, that spreads like wildfire!!!  We are still in the middle of puking and aching.  Luckily, some of us are fine and can do laundry, scrub toilets, give massages, and such.  I'm so grateful for changes of clothes, washing machines, running water, a warm house, and days off.

Being the Grinch I can be, I am grateful we didn't have to go to the Butler family party because we were sick.  Obviously, I am missing some important principles here (namely--faith, hope, charity, and fun)! I will work on that!!!