Seafood Dinners and Family Gatherings, Teach Us Love, Respect and the Limits of Pleasing Everyone

Once a month, we have our family gathering on my husband’s side. Its something we try to schedule since some of my in-laws work in different places ad this is the time everyone can come together. This month, we decided to have a simple dinner. We all contributed, buying fresh seafood, shrimp, mussels, shells and even seaweed jelly.

As the food was being cooked, the boys in the family started their usual drinks session. This is something they truly enjoy during dinner, the conversation flows, differently, ideas and stories are shared freely, laughter fills the air. Watching them, I realized how even small traditions like this can bring joy and connection even if its just once a month.

But amidst the laughter and food, family life isn’t always smooth. There are misunderstandings, little arguments and moments when feelings get hurt. Sometimes, I feel small feeling of sadness when I try to make peace, even when I am hurt. I question why we have to struggle to make dinner pleasant if there are underlying tensions, yet I remind myself that family is family, and I want to show our children the value of respect, unity and patience.

This gathering made me reflect deeply. Many time, I remain quiet, busy with my own life and work, but I feel hurt when favors I ask or small needs aren’t met. We have been partners with my husband in helping the family, financially, school, family problems during my sister-in-law abandoned her two daughters and we the one who take care and supported and they stay 2 years in our home, health condition of our in-laws because my mother-in-law is always hospitalized, help paid their loan and in other ways, even in the wedding of his sisters my husband shoulder majority of expense that how he is being generous to his family. We give freely, wholeheartedly, but when it’s my turn to ask for something, even something very simple, the answer is often no. It hurts. It’s my first time I am sharing these feelings, I’m blessed with this platform to open freely and share what inside my feelings without judgment, but I believe it’s important to acknowledge them also. Life has taught me that not everyone can or will meet our expectations, and that it’s okay. Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes the lesson is simple understanding that respect have limits, and we cannot always please everyone, no matter how much we want to.

Despite these feelings, the dinner was beautiful. The food was delicious! There were moments of sharing, laughter and warmth. Yes, there were small stabs of sadness, but at the end of the day. Family is where we return, where we belong.

From this, I learned an important lesson: it’s okay to feel hurt. It’s okay to have expectations, but we must also accept the reality that we cannot always control others actions. We can only continue to give love, patience and respect, hoping that in time hearts will understand, forgive and heal

Thank you for reading my story, this is my owned picture, edited in Canva. This dinner reminded me that family is imperfect, but the love within it is what matters. ❤️