The Dooge Family. 7 people. 5 children. 2 parents. 1 organized chaotic mess.
My family consists of many people and many moving parts. This is one of the reasons I refer to us as an organized mess. But, before I can better explain this metaphor, I need to introduce you to my family.
First we have my parents, Gregg and Tammy. They have been married for 23 years and are the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time). They are perfect for each other because of the ways they compliment each other. For example, where my mom is quick to react, my dad stays cool, calm, and collected. Where my mom does things on a whim, my dad takes his time in planning every last detail. They also have this sense of humor that is contagious. My parents have an endless amount of love and support for us kids. As cheesy as it sounds, I could not ask for better parents.
Next comes Danielle. She's 22 and currently attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is studying english and will be graduating in May. Post undergrad she will continue her education at UW-Madison's Graduate School to earn her teaching degree.
After Danielle, comes me. 20, junior at St. Norbert, studying Communication. Currently I am keeping busy with being President of Theta Phi Alpha. My post college plans include attending grad school to pursue a career in speech pathology.
After me, comes Holly. She's 18 and a senior at Homestead High School. Like Danielle she will be graduating, except a month later in June. She is finishing up her second year on the varsity basketball team. As of right now, she is undecided on where she will attend college, but does know that she wants to study nursing/medicine.
Finally comes the twins, Jacqueline and Michelle. They just turned 16 (happy birthday!), and are sophomores at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School. Jackie is currently finishing up her season on the varsity basketball team, while Michelle is finishing up her season on the JV basketball team. In a few short weeks they will begin their second season on the varsity softball team. Softball is their biggest passion and they dedicate some amount of time everyday to it.
Now, back to the metaphor. The Dooge family is like an organized mess because we are always on the move. The only time we are all in the house at the same time is between the hours of 10 pm and 7 am. However, Tammy has a system down that allows everyone to be everywhere. She is a firm believer in schedules; there is a family calendar with everyone's schedule, and then individual schedules are posted on our kitchen cabinets. Each night we go over who needs to be where the next day, and that helps to create smooth transitions throughout the day. To people on the outside of the Dooge family, it looks like we are running around without any idea of what's going on. But, it is quite the opposite. Every member of the Dooge family plays a critical role in the success of everyone's day.
Our textbook defines family as "a self-defined group of intimates who create and maintain themselves through their own interactions and interactions with others; a family may include both voluntary and involuntary relationships; it creates both literal and symbolic internal and external boundaries; and it evolves through time: it has a history, a present, and a future." This definition fits the Dooge family pretty well. While we didn't have a choice in who we got as family, we wouldn't want anybody else. In other words, we all voluntarily choose to stay. Since us kids are all so close in age, we've grown up together and continue to do so. We've already talked about living in the same neighborhood when our parents make us move out of the house. At the end of the day this is my favorite family and I'm honored to be apart of it.
Mini Dooge Family Photo Album:
I love your "Method to the Madness" metaphor. It's hilarious! After reading your metaphor and the little biographies about your family I think I agree more with the book definition reading it now versus when I read it the first time. Especially the bit about being a "group of intimates who create and maintain themselves through their own interactions and interactions with others." It seems like you and your family have your interactions with one another down to a science.
ReplyDeleteWow thats amazing that your parents have been together for 23 years !! My parents have also been together for a while now in December 30 years. I found a lot of similarities between your family and mine. My mother is also the quick to react in stressful situations, and same for my father he is the chill one in the family.
ReplyDeleteI love your family definition that although you did not choose who your family is you still wouldn't have it any other way.