Travel lessons. Birthdays. Getting Happy. Loving family. ❣🎂 by michaeljn

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· @michaeljn · (edited)
$2.77
Travel lessons. Birthdays. Getting Happy. Loving family. ❣🎂
![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/b9cf9e760a7b28232011201b6395b119766ea538.jpg)

I am fortunate enough to have a huge family. We usually have a Christmas of around 30-40 people just to give an idea of just how many we are.

It  consists of brothers, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, inlaws and their family and so on plus etc.😁 So our family get togethers are quite insane and sometimes can be overwhelming.

This brings me to the question of birthdays. My point really is this. There is not one month in the entire year where we do not have someone celebrating a birthday. We have at least two birthdays in any given month.

This can become quite a task. As much as it is a blessing it does become quite busy as you are  constantly going from one birthday celbration to the next. Not to mention all the other celebrations in between. Annaverseries, weddings, christmas, easter, braai day, mandela day, etc. Etc. Basically we spend all year going from one function to another.

As I said I consider myself extremely blessed to have so many family members and I often wonder what it must be like not having any family at all. This thought saddens me, and as much as a pain in the butt my family can be (for the most part, not) I cannot imagine my life without them in it.

My Mom and Dad were pretty much the patriarchy and matriarchy of this huge family. My mom died of cancer after 27 years after being diagnosed.

She vowed to stick around until I turned 21. Which she did, exactly to the year. (A story for another time) and my dad died 7 years ago at the age of 84. They had four sons of which I am the youngest. Which was the start of this explosion of relations.

![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/6d4af8c056e7b78211ca78c7097dd00b33cdb00c.jpg)

Whenever we get together I look around at everyone sitting at the table, and I appreciate the legacy my parents left behind.

![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/090ed7f2d5a3cc06a2120693d62b4b682ba197f4.jpg)

It makes me realise and appreciate all their sacrifices and struggles to create all these people who love and care for each other, no matter how annoying it sometime may be, the love always makes it worth every second spent together. To make it clear I do think family need not be blood but more about those who come into your life and love you and stand by you no matter what.

While traveling a good friend and travel partner gave me a t-shirt and CD which has become one of my favourites. It was an album by Pink Martini, entitled "Get Happy" I still have it and I smile every time I wear it and listen to the tunes. Lol

![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/88d441f9596aa25a39fcbca287fca4416c9c0c39.jpg)

![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/1275c62b1a6aa0277fcfe1361d807fb3ac48cdc7.jpg)

Happiness is a choice and not circumstantial. I choose happy. No matter what. I will smile and do what I can for others, no matter how small of an action that may be.

![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/de52b31ec6216a5256193c62aaf8af16388ee0e0.jpg)

When I was working 16 hours a day  while traveling abroad, many moons ago. (See throwback pic of me at Stonehenge.) Being very philosophical and giving a lecture of its origins. Lol.

![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/f1a8781d9efb142d2750d5e80c0ba631b5ecc556.jpg)
Hotel I used to work in.

Did not have time to sift through my photos from then so got this one off their FB page
Source: [https://web.facebook.com/TheSaracensHeadHotel/photos/a.378632368860210/2969232246466863/?type=3&theater](https://web.facebook.com/TheSaracensHeadHotel/photos/a.378632368860210/2969232246466863/?type=3&theater)

ALL other photos are my own.

I worked in a hotel in a quint little english village called Dumow and spent almost 7 years there. Will write a separate story about my time there. It is a proper English tiny Town with all its village charm.

![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/2cbac4c07a3b47fdb847acb93522b42eb2c4a01f.jpg)

Doctors pond. I loved taking pics all around the village. These are just some of the ones I would take when heading home after a night shift at the hotel.

![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/df7d66bef293c151a8849c057ea8451f1d5ff4b3.jpg)

![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/77e26efad2ddc34740652f79218dce3e6cf9b887.jpg)

St Mary's on a pathway on my way home.

![](https://steemitimages.com/0x0/https://d1vof77qrk4l5q.cloudfront.net/img/f8b9a4ef8ce2bc17c4c914425942ef81cefb1d53.jpg)

The owner of the hotel I worked at said two things to me that changed my life. He said this:

"Always do the best you can. You can never do better than your best, nobody could ever expect more."

And

"Get on with it."
_In other words dont complain and moan about things, just get on with it. Do what needs to be done without complaining._

These two statements have stuck with me ever since, and has made time of doubt much easier, when I reflect on what I am doing and realise that I am doing the best I can, it gives me a sense of contentment, and it helps me also get on with the job at hand without complaint.

_Happy Saturday everyone. Love your experiences, good and bad, they both have their purpose. Love family, and cherish those around you._

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vote details (251)
@jaynie ·
What an amazing post! 

I am sorry about your mom and dad passing but they certainly seem to have instilled some very valuable life lessons and core values within you which will stay with you forever. 

Big families are indeed a blessing. We dont have as big a family as yours, but ours is not exactly small either, so I can relate to all the "celebrations". Personally I love them as it keeps us all close together... despite our fall outs from time to time. 

Having my eldest brother in ICU for a month this last December with bacterial meningitis taught me just how precious all those moments are.

Life is fleeting... and we must remember to appreciate and show gratitude for each and every passing moment. 

xxx
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@michaeljn ·
Thanks you @jaynie appreciatecthe kind words. Sorry to hear about your brother. Hope he is feeling better. Sending you and your family positive  thoughts. 🤗

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@jaynie ·
My pleasure @michaeljn and yes... my boet is doing a LOT better now thank you!
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@michaeljn ·
Thank you

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@steemitbloggers ·
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@michaeljn ·
Thank you

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@travelfeed ·
<p>Hi @michaeljn, your post has been reviewed by the TravelFeed content team, but it does not qualify for an upvote since you did not post through <a href="https://travelfeed.io">TravelFeed.io</a>.</p>
<h3>Feedback</h3>
<p>Based on your post, we have the following feedback for you:</p><ul>
<li>We noticed that you did not publish your post through TravelFeed.io or edited your post on other Steem frontends. For better-looking blogs, we recommend you use our EasyEditor. As a bonus, when you post through our platform, you receive double upvotes from us, you are eligible for the top pick of the day (resteem + featured on the TravelFeed.io front page) and you can earn extra rewards from being featured in our daily curation posts. You can simply login with your existing Steem account using Steemconnect or Steem Keychain. See you next time on <a href="https://travelfeed.io">TravelFeed.io</a>!</li>
<li>Your post will be hard to find. With the location picker in the TravelFeed.io editor you can easily add a location to your post to improve its discoverability.</li>
</ul><p>Thanks for using TravelFeed!<br /><a href="https://travelfeed.io/@smeralda">@smeralda</a> (TravelFeed team)<p><p>PS: You can now search for your travels on-the-go with our Android App. <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.travelfeed.pwa">Download it on Google Play</a></p>
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@michaeljn ·
No problem. Will try to use travel feed more often. Thank you for your comments

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