From Gregory Stock’s The Book of Questions: How close and loving is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most people’s?

Now, I don’t want to sound like a bitter old curmudgeon, but let’s face it – as we age, our extended families tend to drift apart. It’s just a fact of life. Once the glue that held us together (a.k.a. our parents and grandparents) passes away, it’s like we’re all free agents in the game of life. Sure, we might see each other at the occasional wedding or funeral, but gone are the days of weekly Sunday dinners and annual family vacations.

But fear not, dear readers! My immediate family is still going strong. We live close enough to each other that we can be there when needed – whether it’s to help with a home renovation project or to share a pint of ice cream after a particularly rough day. And let’s be honest, isn’t that what really matters?

As for my childhood happiness, well, that’s a bit more complicated. I wouldn’t say it was necessarily happier than most, but I certainly had my moments. Sure, there were the usual sibling squabbles and parental lectures, but there were also plenty of laughter-filled game nights and impromptu dance parties in the living room.

Looking back, I realize that happiness is relative. What brings joy to one person might be another’s worst nightmare. So, while my childhood may not have been filled with exotic vacations or the latest gadgets, it was still pretty darn good.

In the end, I believe that the closeness and love of a family have less to do with proximity and more to do with the effort we put into maintaining those relationships. It’s about making time for each other, even when life gets busy. It’s about showing up, even when it’s not convenient. And it’s about cherishing the memories we’ve made together, even as we create new ones.

But hey, that’s just my two cents. I’d love to hear from all of you. How close and loving is your family? Do you feel like your childhood was happier than most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!