My family is like a jigsaw puzzle. Our purpose and values determined by the sum of all its pieces, with each contributing something different and unique to the big picture. All the pieces are important in different ways, and if one piece is missing the puzzle is incomplete.
I have to admit that I miss the days when we were always together, all under one roof all the time. Our “puzzle” was always intact then, a little messier and chaotic with the borders a little frayed and in disarray, but intact and ideal, nonetheless. Over the years as my husband and I adopted different roles within the family and my sons matured from boys to men, developed separate interests, stayed away, moved away, discovered the opposite sex and other things young adults do, our puzzle is often left missing a piece or two. Yeah, I know that’s life, it’s what we aspire for, what we dream of, the normal progression of our being, but sometimes you can’t help but miss it all. You miss the presence, the responsibility, the support, the noise, the banter, the jokes, the togetherness.
Then one day, on a day you least or most expect, all the pieces turn up and fall into place and it’s just like old times again. Each piece of the puzzle present and playing its part, all different but none, exclusive. The joker joking, the supporter supporting, the encourager encouraging, the dreamer dreaming and the mother smiling, all the pieces held together by the glue of togetherness.
Big picture puzzle, complete.
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Sincerely Jan 
Aww, what a piece worth reading over and over again. I love pictures that speak volumes. You should understand why I fell in love with the picture you used in your write-up.
Your write-up is great. I love your style of expressing yourself.
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Thanks, and yes, I loved that puzzle too! It’s a 1,000 piece I did and when I was done it had a “missing” piece. Not missing but the wrong piece, they included a duplicate of another piece that had the same shape. I loved the picture and the whole scene nonetheless 😊.
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What can we do without our families? We may not like one or two things about our families but all these pieces come together to give our families’ identity, uniqueness and colourful memories to look back on and cherish.
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Yes, each on creates a little something special to the experience and our memories.
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Such a beautiful piece to read. I can definitely identify with some of this. Especially since I also have a very close family connection. It always feels like all the pieces are together when we meet up. Though, I do feel we appreciate it alot more now since it’s not as often as it used to be. And it’s definitely more quality than before.
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Yep, it’s true, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Thanks!
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great post, so true! It’s funny because I am in a place where I still live my parents and brother, and I forget sometimes that this won’t last forever even though it feels that way, and sooner than I think, I’ll be creating my new reality, and what I am living in now will be a memory. It is why I am cherishing it as much as I can!
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Yes, enjoy it but don’t worry, from what I gather from my kids their new reality is fun and exciting 😊.
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A beautiful and very relatable post Jan. I too miss it sometimes and then they all come together and again it feels so complete. Oh how life changes and so quickly too.
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It sure does, but that life ❤️!
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Great piece! This beautiful circle of life. Love your perspective. The older I get, the more I strive to be present- live in the moment. Things can change so quickly at times.
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Yes, the older we get the more urgent it gets to live in the moment, thanks!
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That is lovely. Pure love, no ego, no pride. Just joy
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Just as I meant it, thanks 😊.
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