The New Life

I am wondering. If we were to return to the so-called less sophisticated times, when families were called extended and not nuclear, what would the nuclear part of that family look like? It just occurred to me that, maybe, the couple relationship might not have been so intense during those times.

Let's look at this. The fights, the attachments, the expectations might just be simply less grand. After all, there are all these other people to help to fulfill whatever needs I, for instance, may have. I might be surrounded by cousins, uncles, aunts, granparents, parents, other children. It's like that "everything but the kitchen sink" type of environment. My partner would be one of many intimate relationships in my everyday life. One of many intimate relationships is the important distinction.

There is something to be said for the role of a community that is largely missing today. The nuclear family of today is constantly around each other, without getting a respite from one another, without having sufficient ways to release and channel one's energy, or express true emotions, or re-charge.

One of the joys and benefits of having to go through the isolated nuclear family age is that this type of an arrangement was, in most instances, born out of choice between two people. Now, there is a choice to extend this particular family to include carefully chosen friends who have the potential to create the support network once provided by blood relatives without all the inevitable drama.

It appears that we are moving in the right direction. There is one caveat. The importance of including friends of all ages into the mix is rather profound. Projecting curiosity and compassion will draw in an array of shades, shapes, and experiences of people which is badly required for a full appreciation of humanity and for a full connection among people.

Perhaps, a new generation of family is about to be born. Out of choice. Out of vulnerability. Out of joy. I am standing by.