Life, as we know it, blesses us differently at each stage of our lives. Most of us have heard the term "Count your blessings" and at each stage in your life this means something different. As you grow up, marry and settle however it means a few specific things like having a good career, having a comfortable/safe life, having a good spouse, having good children etc. This writing specifically focuses on relationships.
In a blessed scenario, a person would have their loving relationships, parents, grand parents, cousins, children etc. However, do we really appreciate how big of a deal it is? I have recently talked about how sick I was. Long story short, the strength that I have been able to draw from knowing that I have my kids who are growing up and learning to enjoy life, has been incomparable. I feel like there is a need and dependency. A craving, from me, to see my whole family, happy. I know my parents, may Allah bless them are worried but happy that I am doing better, my sisters whom I miss dearly pray for me, my good friends that have given me memories to think about now in this void and of course I am not physically there to know specifically what is happening but this thought gives me strength. The fact that I miss my family is a motivation in itself. It pushes me to pray to Allah, talk to him, request him and put my case in front of him. Assured as much as I am of the hope that he will listen.
This is a true blessing worthy of an expression of gratitude that is often overlooked. There are people out there whose parents died in an accident, who are unable to have children, who don't have many cousins, who have had a falling out with the family etc. and here you are and you have none or some of only those problems to worry about. The key is always to focus on your blessings rather your short falls. Having your parents is a blessing, having a caring spouse is a blessing, numerous cousins? That is a blessing etc. It is hard to fathom that you think of yourself, anything else other than fortunate. Unless you are ungrateful.
Truth be told I don't want people to suffer or feel sad at my expense. Instead I have always tried to be involved with life events of the whole family, somebody's death, somebody's birth etc. This is how I intend, in fact wish to continue to conduct my life. The reason is that the satisfaction and peace I was able to get when I was doing these things and I was close to my family (includes extended) before moving to Scotland, is unparalleled. I understood this when I was moving, but the reasons for my move are your typical ones i.e: study more, further your career etc. As I mentioned earlier there is strength that you draw from your relationships. I was familiar with hints of this idea before, but after my sickness I truly believe this and I honestly contemplate whether this is gratitude unspoken and unacknowledged.