Family love them or leave them

Ah, family. The people who raise us, change us, support us — and ultimately, continue to confound us. Most of us would probably attest that our families can be a lot sometimes.

Whether they entail dealing with overbearing parents, unfiltered aunts and uncles, rowdy grandchildren, or moody teenagers, family gatherings can be a little stressful at times. Maybe we have family members who refuse to talk to each other, or there are certain topics guaranteed to trigger explosive arguments at the dinner table. Whatever the case may be, sometimes the only thing we can really do is laugh — to find humour in the inanity of our relatives’ comments and behaviour and choose to see the lighter side of things for our own sanity’s sake. Here are some quotes that speak to the meaning of family gatherings.

"Family: Where life begins and love never ends. Also, where the drama never takes a day off."

"A family is like a team. Irritating one another is just part of the game plan."

"In my family, we don't hide crazy; we put it on the porch and give it a cocktail."

"Home is where you can say anything you like because nobody listens to you anyway."

"Family: Like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one."

"I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage."

"A family that laughs together stays together, or at least tolerates each other at Thanksgiving."

"Family gatherings: Where cousins become best friends and aunts and uncles become therapists."

"The family is one of nature's masterpieces, but sometimes even masterpieces need a touch-up."

"You can't choose your family, but you can definitely choose to laugh at their ridiculousness."

"Remember, as far as everyone knows, we are a nice, normal family."

"Family: Where life is messy, but the love is real."

"The family is not just an important thing; it's everything. Especially when you need someone to blame."

"I smile because you're my family. I laugh because there's nothing you can do about it."

"Family dinners are like a mini-reunion of a dysfunctional cast, with every member playing their unique role in the madness."