Back in the Day...

...extended family lived together as a matter of course.  It's a sepia-toned picture of the old days, the three or four generations living under one roof.  Great Aunt Edna never married and had to live somewhere. Or time came that the family didn't feel safe with Grandma and/or Grandpa out in the big wide world on their own. Sometimes daughters grew up, never married and just stayed home with Mother and Dad.  Sacrifices were made, pennies were pinched, lips were bitten (usually), but the situation  was made to work.  And there were very often more blessings than burdens in the deal.  Grandparents made the most wonderfully patient confidantes and playmates for children; aunts had time to braid hair and tell old family stories; uncles played football and read books...

Have you noticed, though?  It seems the olden days are back again. We're seeing it everywhere.  Families are re-discovering the advantages of pooling resources.  While it may not be the first choice for most, it's a necessary thing sometimes, even if only for a while, waiting for a tide to turn.   I don't think there are many of us that wouldn't double up in bedrooms and stretch the budget to take in a loved one out of a job. We've spelled our grown up sons while they've gotten on their feet, and expect to help each of the rest of the kids as they find their ways in the world, whether that means covering their car insurance or going on surivial Sam's trips with them to fill their fridges once in a while.  And they know they can always, always come home to live. 

It so happens that we've been blessed right now to be able to help my brother in this way while he finds a new job and gets on his feet.   It's as it should be.  Our son, Kevin is sharing rent with his aunt and uncle and our son, Jon, is staying with his grandparents.   God willing it won't happen, but if Dan's business doesn't take off, we know someone in the family would offer to be our safety net, too. It wouldn't be easy, but someone would be there.  It's what family does.  We play Scrabble, bicker, sing, watch I Love Lucy, make fun of each other's noses and feet, worry about each other behind each other's backs, steal chips off each other's plates, and open up our wallets and homes to one another in emergencies.

It's all good.  While Uncle Greg is here, we buy half-n-half in addition to our regular coffee creamer and we make extra popcorn on Wednesday movie nights.  In exchange, the cultural level has risen from discussing the relative merits of Disney princesses to rating PBS documentaries and members of the Tudor dynasty.  And we've got another pianist to add to the family soundtrack.  There can never be too much family under one roof.

But you aren't surprised I'd say that, are you?