Karina Griffin, RDMS, RVT
Family and relationships are a huge part of our everyday lives. I am thankful for wonderful childhood memories that I will never forget. The backyard of my grandmother’s house carries so many of those memories and still to this day creates even more memories.
My grandmother has lived on the same street for over 50 years. In her backyard so many things and events have happened over the years. This first major event in the backyard occurred in 1996. This is the year my parents got married! Although this was before I was born, every time we are out there, I can envision what I have seen in those pictures. (Especially since I recently got engaged!)
More and more events have happened since then. As a child I was always playing outside in her backyard. My grandfather would bring home random things for us to drive around the yard, from old lawnmowers with no blades to golfcarts that we crashed into a fence and popped the tires.
We have had so many birthday parties out there. One of the biggest ones I can remember is my 9th birthday party which was a Hawaiian luau which was pretty darn exciting for a 9-year-old!
I will always remember my grandmother’s 50th birthday party where we roasted a whole pig in the back yard in a smoker – such fun memories!
And most recently – we celebrated Independence Day, New Year’s Eve, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and graduation parties that brought our family and friends together.
Family is such an important part of my life and happiness. Having all my family all so close by and being near all the people I grew up with is something I could not imagine life without.
Being a true southwest Florida 3rd generation native is not something you frequently encounter here in SW Florida, as many people are “transplants” to this area. For me, I don’t think that I would ever be able to move out of the area. I look forward to having my children have these same feelings that I have. The area is nothing like it used to be here in Fort Myers, but it will always be home and have a feeling of safety like no other. I will always be true to my family and never forget my hometown. How about you?
For those of you who may be transplanted here in FL (or anywhere else in the world) who may not have the blessing of immediate family nearby, I encourage you to find people who can be your “family.” Be intentional about cultivating those relationships and find people who can be that close “family” – as we all know, family does not necessarily have to be your blood relatives. Studies show that those with close family ties and/or strong friend groups (your tribe!) live longer, healthier lives.
