5 Generations of Hands: An Update

I first discovered the widespread distribution of a photo I took ~ Five Generation of Hands ~ back in February 2008 when I wrote about it on this blog. Since then, I hear about people who have received emails with the photo on an almost weekly basis ~ my brother-in-law in Iowa got it from a cousin in the ministry, a friend here in Austin received it last week from her former mother-in-law, and my aunt in Missouri heard about it from someone in her church congregation. Even after all these sitings, it still amazes me now.

Earlier this week, Mother called to share yet another sighting. Daddy went in to for a check up at his doctor's office and found a printed copy of the photo along with my words explaining the ages and relationships in the photo. Melinda's beautiful poem, Grandma's Hands, was not with this version hanging on the wall in Marble Falls, Texas.

My father paused to read it, then said to the receptionist, "My daughter took that picture, and that's my family." The folks in the office didn't believe him until he assured them he could bring in one of the "models" and prove it. One of the nurses remarked, "Well, they must have made a lot of money off of that!"

When Mom relayed the story to me, she commented, "Isn't that a coincidence?!" I told her that ~ more than coincidence ~ it just goes to show how widespread the distribution really has been.

Amazing.

Less is More: Characteristics of Successful Relationships

With One of the Men in my Life: Our son, Austin

I am a woman of a lot of WORDS ~ a lot of words that want to come to OUT. This can be quite trying in a house full of men ~ we have 3 sons ~ as the male species typically doesn't have that need (or patience) for that many words. Face it, there is a direct relationship between the number of words a female speaks and the degree at which the male eyes glaze over. I've known this for quite some time. LESS is MORE especially when it comes to sharing with the men in my life. But this is not easy for a woman of many words, ESPECIALLY when she is certain she has so much good stuff to say!

With our oldest son now away at college, my opportunities for connecting with him and sharing have shifted from conversations to emails. We send each other blog sites or on-line articles of interest, along with just a comment or two of reflection. In this way, I am able to fill my need to impart 'motherly advice' without holding him hostage in a conversation, trapped like a deer in the headlights who's desperately longing to leap the nearest barbed wire fence & make his escape.

In some ways, we have been able to "go deeper" in our writing than what we share face-to-face. Perhaps it's because it's not so forced or on "my time" that this is so, or maybe it's because he's just growing up, but I really enjoy our written exchanges and have come to treasure them almost more than our talks. After all, these I can hold onto long after the words of conversation fade away.

Earlier this spring, I sent him the following from an online article I ran across along with a short message.

Interesting Article on Relationships. Don't know if you think Dad & I have a good relationship (I do) but I think this is a pretty accurate summation.
Love,
Mom

I wanted to say more, elaborate on each of the points, but I left it at that & sent along the article.

Ten Characteristics of Successful Relationships
By Lisa Brookes Kift, Ma, Mft
Published: 12/27/2007
Marriage and Family Therapist draws from extensive experience with couples to identify her top ten characteristics of successful relationships

As a couple’s therapist, I’ve seen a myriad of relationships styles. People who come in for counseling are clearly looking to change something they see problematic in their partnership. The problems range from the relatively benign tweaks in communication to serious pain and trust violations due to infidelity and all sorts of issues in between. Filtering through all of this, I’ve identified ten characteristics of successful relationships. These qualities are integral parts of a healthy relationship foundation and I believe increase the chances of weathering the storms that life inevitably dishes out.

The ten characteristics are as follows and are in no particular order:

1) Friendship: Couples who have a strong friendship have staying power. They not only love each other but genuinely like each other as people. They enjoy hanging out together. They might even consider each other their "best friend."

2) Humor: Partners who can make each other laugh tend to be good at de-escalating conflicts when they do arise. It’s the great mood lightener. I’ve noticed the use of funny nicknames can be an indicator of great fondness for one another. The names often stem from a "you had to be there" moment from the beginning of their relationship.

3) Communication: As obvious as this may seem, many couples are not very good at it. Those who are able to openly express their feelings in an emotionally safe environment typically deal with situations as they come up and avoid burying frustrations which always have a way of coming out at some point.

4) Chore Sharing: Those who divvy up the household or parenting responsibilities - in a way that is mutually agreed upon way are less likely to hold resentments about what they perceive as "unfair." Each participates (albeit maybe begrudgingly) and both contribute to the relationship in this way.

5) Sexual Intimacy: Couples who have their sexual needs met or at least have negotiated a reasonable compromise if their levels of need aren’t compatible, feel taken care of by the other. Some are highly active, engaging in lovemaking multiple times a week and others are content with far less. There is no "right" or "wrong" amount. However, often times a negotiation is needed to make sure no one feels neglected by the other.

6) Affection: Partners who stay in physical contact in some way throughout the day have appeared to be the happiest ones. These moments don’t need to necessarily lead to sexual intimacy but are rather easy ways to say, "I love you," without the words. These moments can be invaluable, especially these days when everyone seems to be racing around to get "somewhere." Whether it’s a hug, kiss, swat on the rear, tussle of the hair or a sit on the lap, these acts of affection keep couples connected when life gets crazy.

7) No "Horsemen of the Apocalypse:" This is a term coined by a famous couples researcher named John Gottman (www.gottman.com) who claims to be able to predict divorce with incredible accuracy. His "four horsemen of the apocalypse" are criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling. His research has shown that couples who demonstrate a high level of these in their relationships are in big trouble.

8) Mutual and Separate Friends: Partners who socialize with other couples and also maintain separate friendships have greater balance in regards to honoring themselves as individuals, within the relationship. This leads to more self satisfaction which translates to relationship satisfaction.

9) Reliability: Most of us want follow-through with our friendships and our partners. If couples do what they say and say what they do, they create an atmosphere of comfort in knowing their words mean something to the other.

10) Relationship Vision: It’s interesting the number of couples I’ve seen who don’t seem to have the big picture of their relationship in mind. Where do they see themselves in ten year? What are their relationship goals? Couples who have created a relationship vision for themselves know where they’re going as they’ve planned it together. They get joy out of reaching for their goals as a team and are less likely to be derailed by surprises down the line.

***

A few hours after I sent the email, he replied, in part:

I definitely think you and Dad have a good relationship, I'm glad y'all never fought in front of us. I think it set a precedent in my life. I try and carry all these attributes into any relationship whether it be girlfriend or friend, being compassionate goes a long way.

Then he went on to share a story, how he had drawn on something I told him in making a difficult decision & then wrote,

It was interesting how I pulled my... I guess "childhood" into my life now. Funny that I'm getting to that point in my life.

I have reread that message many times since filled with such gratitude; Gratitude that his father and I were able to give him something that he looks at with pride, gratitude for his willingness to share that with me, and most of all, gratitude for this relationship I have with my son. Given the time, Less IS More. It doesn't get any "more" than that, does it?!

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