HOME SWEET "Turkish" HOME by Meltem Yakula Kurtman

It sure has a nice ring to it, don't you think? It sparks images of many pleasurable scenes: A pot simmering on the stove, mouth watering aromas floating from the kitchen all the way down to the hall, mom baking her goodies, grandma knitting a cardigan, kids running in the backyard, and maybe grandpa rocking in his chair on the front porch happily observing the passers-by.

Home, family and hearth: these are probably the most important parts of the Turkish culture. In fact, one might even call it the holy trinity. Faith in God comes first, faith in the family comes right after. The bond that holds the family together is stronger than any other.

Traditionally, father was the provider, but this is fast changing now. Most households need two incomes hence mother west to work; but she has no regrets. She is out teaching, banking, lawyering or doctoring .. but this only makes her more special. Not only is she the source of all love, but she is also a provider. Of course she gets plenty of help with the housework and the children. Grandma is there for her, keeping an eye on the kids, while she is at work and doing most of the house chores and still managing to have a warm supper waiting on the table when the family gets home at night.

Everyone is grateful for the presence of everyone else. There is great love and never-ending respect among the family members. Each allows space for the other to grow and flourish, and they all fit together very much like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. No piece overlaps the other, therefore no toes are stepped on.

Families don't always live together. Mostly every family has its own household, sometimes the families are seperated by cities, sometimes they are seperated by an ocean, but the bond that holds them together is always there.

They share their joy and sorrow. If it's a happy occasion, they laugh together. "The more the merrier" is definitely applicable here. If there is a problem they solve it together. "Two heads are better than one", how true ! Is there a financial problem? Well, the family piggy bank requires no co-signers, and the terms of the loan are in favour of the borrower. What better deal can one ask for? Has there been an untimely death? A member left without a spouse, with young ones to care for? he or she will get all the help that's needed: financial and emotional support, mom's shoulder to lean on, and oodles of love to carry him/her till the tragedy settles and blows over. Family is always there.

The concept of family is definitely synergic. The whole is many times stronger than its parts singlely added together. Together the family is strong and vibrates with the energy of timeless love continuing it into eternity.

This article was originally published in Cross Cultures Magazine in Volume 1 - Issue 4 - 1992. Unauthorized copying, distribution or other usage without express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.