Our experience tells us how, when kids grow up, families will never be the same. It’s called “empty nest” in some cultures, but it’s all the same. We move away from each other and never really come back together… like we all used to.
If you want to spend the most of your time together, some family projects are good to preserve memories. At least, in the ancestral home, we will have something to remind us of the times when we were all together…. sentimental, but thoroughly touching.
My grandma’s death reminded me of how time passes by and how short it really is to show every member of our family that we love them.
Tears aside, my suggestion is to build a Japanese garden together!
One cultural quirk that the Japanese shaed to the world is cultural gardening. This form of landscaping and gardening is meant to create a place that represents nature in its purest form. Some elements include small and medium trees, bushy shrubs, shapely and unique rocks, clean sand, man-made hills. There are also dainty ponds that are purely aesthetic.
I have never thought of flowing water as an art form, but it is. The traditions of Zen and Shinto play a big role in Japanese gardening and landscaping. These sceneries are meant to put someone in a contemplative mood (for thinking up all these sentimental thoughts).
This is a good place to reflect, and when the young ones have their own young ones, a great place for kids to play in.
Tags: family traditions, garden, japanese, zen garden
The best thing about living together is you get to memorize the things that each family member like. Moreover, one gets to know which brands they particularly adore. Plan ahead and give each family member a gift basket full of things they love. In particular, the elder members will have a few items they would want, like foodstuff from their country of origin, brands they haven’t seen for a long time; postcard perfect images of their childhood things; and even a shirt with a fancy photo of the places they hold dear (or would love to go to before they pass away)
Christmas, Holidays and Family Events! These are rare occasions that need your focused attention. This is when families come together. How important are holidays to people? Most families that have grown apart will have members in different places around the world. The only time they can be together are holidays, so these are a HUGE deal.
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