Haha..don't mind the photo. This is my siblings and I very long time ago
Now, you can see we are now grown up girls with our father 😉 the other two aren't in hereGrowing up, it was with my small family; my parents and 4 siblings even though my big sister was taken to stay with late grandma when she was 3 years old and did her schooling there - she almost couldn't recognise our parents again while my immediate younger sister was taken to live with one of our aunts who was living in Magodo estate in Lagos before she moved overseas.
It was remaining my parents, two siblings and I. I became the mother of my siblings and it was a great moment always together. Even though we weren't rich nor were we poor, at least we were the average and everything was provided for us as we never had the thought of begging for food from people around. We always ate to our fill because our parents, especially mom, worked hard to make sure we didn't suffer or go hungry.
My brother was [and still is] my Padi (best friend). We rolled together and I love that he had me covered up on so many silly things I did then. He understood me and would never let out the cat from the bag when I was busy following guys around secretly; once I tipped him, the rest of the business was his to look after while ensuring I am always feedback if something was about to happen.
We laughed, talked, and had amazing moments together as a family, and it was something I had always been grateful for. We looked after each other. We cared for ourselves, and it was like a mother hen watching after its chicks; that was the bond between my siblings and me, including the other two who weren't with us physically but knew they were with us spiritually.
We become a large family when we travel home because we get to meet with other relatives - cousins, uncles, aunts and grandparents, including other people who weren't related to us by blood. It was always this one large family where it becomes fun when we team up to do the work together, and everything gets settled even before we could blink our eyes. We had moments of jokes and a silent mood when things weren't in good shape, but knowing we've got our backs was something worthwhile.
I would say I was more with my small family than the large ones since the latter happens once a year when we get to meet together, but along the line, a family of five became four when our mom decided to go rest with the Lord away from the short illness that held her bound but still, we got to move on with our lives while making sure the unity and love were still part of us.
Today, I am so happy for the family I have, where everyone looks out for each other in all areas of life, and when we talk about the financial aspect, I am lucky to have siblings who'd show up and be ready to support, because why? We are blood. Blood is thicker than water, so they say. My younger sister would always assure me that she's got my back anytime and that I should not worry about any situation life may bring to us, and it'd be my pleasure to appreciate that.
If money wasn't an issue and I was faced with the option to choose a larger or smaller family, which would I choose? Of course, I will choose my small family again and again without thinking twice because I love a small unit. I love how it is fun to have them around me and watch how they are fairing. Even if money was an issue, there wouldn't be any problem because we've got each other's back. It makes it easier when we team up to support each other financially without anyone feeling the weight too heavy.
Though a large family comes with their fun moments and happy memories, I'd still choose to have a smaller family, that is, my husband, kids and I. Though we won't decline if we have families coming over to spend a few days, weeks, or months with us, they'd still leave while we still remain and keep the love going.
All images are mine
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