Looking at the four elements of intimacy I can see how they
all apply to my family and how we function. However, the most profound would
probably be closeness.
Closeness is a big thing in the Dooge household. My sisters
are my best friends, and I would be very lost without them. My family and I are
very interdependent on each other. Whatever happens to one of us, happens to
all of us. Obviously the event in question affects some more than others, but
the family dynamic is still affected. For example, my twin sister’s play on
different basketball teams. Playing on different teams puts a bit of a strain
on their relationship with each other, but it also puts a strain on the family
dynamic because we have to divide and conquer their different game schedules.
My sisters and I share everything with each other. I usually know more because
I’m everyone’s favorite sister. Actually it is because I like to listen and am
always willing to sit down with each of them and work out their problems. My
mom and I are also very close. I am really bad at keeping secrets from her,
something that my sisters have pointed out to me on numerous occasions.
The sisters also have our own private language in the forms of nicknames for each other. Here’s a list of some of them:
Danielle: Dilly Bill
Stephanie: Steponie, Stiffy Bear
Holly: Hill Bill
Jackie: Jickie, Jickie Bear, Peanut
Michelle: Boo Bear, Boo, Pumpkin
Out of all of us, the twins, and especially Michelle, seems
to have the most nicknames. I’m not really sure why that is, probably because
they are the babies of the family and they are more accepting of nicknames.
We use these nicknames all the time. So much so that I have
noticed I call them by their nicknames in public and I get some confused looks.
But it does not bother any of us because it is just part of our language with
each other. Recently I have noticed that I only call them by their real names
when talking to people outside of our family. But even then I still bring up
what their nicknames are.
I think through all of this the other elements of family
intimacy can be seen.
We are all committed and dedicated to each other and being a
family. Before we go to bed our Mom always says “Goodnight, love you, see you
in the morning.” And that’s like her thing with all of us kids before we go to
bed. In fact, when we were younger, I believe it was Holly, would not go to bed
unless our mom said that to her and we said it back.
We also self-disclose to one another. As I mentioned above
we share our problems with each other and work through them together. Overall,
we look to each other for advice.
I think the Dooge family has a very strong sense of family
intimacy. There are times where it is stronger than other times, but overall it
is pretty high and has not really changed for the worst, a fact I am grateful
for.
I love how close your family is! My family had nicknames but never to the extent that you and your family do! I also like the line where you said "Whatever happens to one of us, happens to all of us." I feel like this explains so much about the importance of being in a family. Everyone is there for one another and is willing to sacrifice for one member of the family when they are going through a tough time. Side note, the pictures that you put in this post are adorable, especially that last one! :D Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete