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Family Is An F Word

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Festivities always remind me of family and one Diwali that remains closest to my heart is the Diwali of 2011. I was invited by my friend's family to celebrate it with them. When another friend and I walked into her house, it was filled with so much love and warmth. The whole family was gathered under one roof, dressed in their traditional best and laughing and talking away! They even brought in gifts for each other and it was such a happy ambiance. Every one was genuinely happy to see the other and this one episode showed me what families should all be about. Once the evening ended, I headed to a coffee shop near home, where Cal was waiting for me. We spent the rest of the evening, being the lone members in the coffee shop and with the noise and light of crackers around us. The Diwali of 2011 was magical in its own way.

Families are very important they say. They teach us from day one and mold us into the people we become. When no one is there for you, family always should be. They are the strength one needs, they are the support one needs, they are the inspiration one needs. There is a reason why they say that blood is thicker than water. But, are all families what they are supposed to be?

I'm not too sure if many such families exist in real life, so I have a list of my favorite fictional families. This is how I think families should be.

~ The Pullmans

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This is Auggie's family from the book and movie 'Wonder'. This probably is the best family on earth. For those who haven't read the book or watched the movie, this story is about Auggie, who is born with a severe facial deformity and how his family helps him deal with it. Auggie's parents Isabel and Nate do not treat Auggie differently and want him to have a normal life. His sister, Via, knows that her parents' lives revolve around Auggie and yet is happy to be a silent spectator. She loves Auggie and often reminds him that he is born to stand out. Without the love and support from his family, there is no way Auggie would have had the confidence to face the world and survive in it. Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson play the parents role to perfection in the movie. With a supportive family like this, no one would ever have a bad day. No wonder Miranda always dreamt of being Via and a part of the wonderful Pullman family.

~ The Gellers

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Yeah, the family of our very own Ross and Monica! The Geller's are weird in their own way, but come together beautifully as a family. Ross and Monica's sibling rivalry and love is so cute and adorable. With Monica being worried when Ross was away one night to Ross having his "big-brother" talk with Chandler just before he marries Monica is what sibling love should be all about. Let's not forget the routine dance that got them a honorable mention in the brother-sister dance category! Jack and Judy Geller as the parents, set a perfect example to the kids. Crazily in love and not being able to keep their hands off each other, Jack and Judy show us that love doesn't die down even after three decades of marriage. While they clearly prefer Ross over Monica, with Ross being a medical marvel and all that, they still love Monica in their own way. From checking on her after her break-up with Richard to gifting her a Porsche to make up for her lost memories, Jack is a really emotional dad. Terribly fun, but also emotional. While Judy is still living under the shadow of her mother and puts Monica through the same, she understands when Monica talks to her about it. She passes on her mother's earrings to Monica as per tradition and together they feel so emotional about it. This family is quirky, sensitive and fun in its own way.

~ The Simpsons

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Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie come together to form one of the most entertaining families in the world. Santa's Little Helper and Snowball II are the family's pets but very much a part of this yellow but never mellow family. Although the family is primarily dysfunctional, almost every episode examines their relationships and focuses on the bonds they share with each other. Be it the love that Homer and Marge have for each other, or the relationship that Grampa Simpson shares with his son, it is so real and pure. While Bart is a troublemaker and Lisa is a loud activist, their parents do not stop them from what they are and what they want to become. If you want to know what a fun family is all about, the Simpsons show you how it is done.

~ The Kaushiks


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This is the family from the recent movie 'Badhaai Ho', where Nakul's parents are all set to embrace parenthood again when he's in his late twenties. Jitu and Priyamvada Kaushik are the much in love parents who bond over poetry. Jitu's love and admiration for his wife come across in every frame and more so in the family photograph scene. He doesn't care what people talk about his middle-aged pregnant wife, he just wants to ensure that she's comfortable and taken care of. Nakul and his brother through initially upset, finally come around and get excited about having another sibling. The family is also closely in touch with the rest of their relatives and Nakul is pretty excited and keen to attend his cousin's wedding. But the best relationship in this family happens to be that of Priyamvada and her mother-in-law. The MIL is forever bickering and doesn't waste a moment to point fingers at her DIL. Yet, when it comes to standing up for her, she is the first one to do so. Even if it means standing against her own daughter and her family. A family that sticks together can deal with any situation, no matter what the world has to say. The Kaushiks show you how to do that.

Family is the most important think in the world according to The Godfather. If you have a nice family with the right set of people, you have hit a jackpot. Genuine, supportive families are all fun, fabulous, fascinating and fantastic. Else, well, family still remains an F word.

Comments

  1. I love the Pullmans. They show us how to embrace imperfection and make it perfect in their own unique way. I agree with you about the Gellers too. They are a quirky family who easily secures their place in our hearts. I am not familiar with the Simpson's. Heard a lot of good reviews about Badhaai Ho and I am hoping to watch it soon. Loved reading this, Soumya. :)

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    1. The Pullmans are just the best :)

      Do watch Badhaai ho, you will love it.

      Thank you, Vinitha :)

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  2. Aww this is so true! Families are simply amazing, if they are the right kind. I really love the examples you've pulled out. Oh babe, you should totally watch 'This is Us'. That gives me goosebumps and family vibes like nothing else has. Grab LOTS of tissues, though, because you will be weeping buckets in each episode!

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    1. Oh yes! I was hoping the Pearson's find a mention! :)

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    2. Thank you, Shy! I'll get to watching it soon.

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    3. Sandy, I'm assuming Pearsons are from 'This Is Us', so I'd better get to it soon :)

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  3. Well I am still waiting to go and watch Badhai ho- you have given me a stronger reason to go - and Simpsons is something I just couldnt ever watch. But the Pullman family sure did warm the cockles of my heart (missed out on the movie). Ross and Monica - sure thing; they are one whacky pair of siblings!!!

    I got invited to spend Diwali with a friend and her mom as I was home alone this year- it felt so damned good. I pulled out my best Saree swag for it and decked up like anything. Its been an awesome Diwali this year for me!

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    1. Go watch it now! You will not regret it :)

      You looked awesome! As always <3

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  4. Families are life and joy. I am blessed to have one like that. Perhaps because while growing up we were sort of isolated and surrounded by relatives that were jerks, we five (mum, dad and the three of us) were very close. Lost mum, unfortunately after my marriage but the three of us along with dad keep the family bond alive. No one and nothing comes between us. So I am lucky that my kids have doting uncles and aunts and one grandparent on each side. I have also seen a number of dysfunctional families with complex ego issues and a loss of love. It is tough. Hopefully, my kids will continue the family tradition that family is everything.

    Loved the families you shared here. This is Us is another one that is such an amazing family.

    You really should come home for Diwali, Soumya because this is one festival that I go all out to celebrate. I would love for you and your husband to come join us, perhaps next year?

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    1. You truly are blessed, Rachna. Touch wood.

      I'll get to watching 'This Is Us' soon.

      Awww, you are making me all emotional now. We'd love to come celebrate with you next year. Thank you so much for this.

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  5. I loooved all these families. I look up to the Pullman's for their wonderfully balanced patenting. Oh and I'm so glad you included Badhai Ho. Each relationship in there was so very special, even Renee and her mom.
    Such a perfect piece for Diwali.

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    1. Thank you, Tulika.

      Families like these makes one feel so happy :)

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  6. Oh the Gellers... Yes I too love them and how they stick together no matter how weird. My current favorite is the family of horror series house on the hill. It's dark, and their lives aren't perfect... But they stick together which really warms my heart.

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