Strange in Our Family

Every family has its peculiarities—those little habits, traditions, or quirks that make it stand out. Some families have their unique recipes passed down through generations, while others have a knack for storytelling that turns mundane events into epic tales. But in our family, the strangeness goes beyond the ordinary. Our peculiarities are so deeply ingrained in our daily lives that they have become the fabric of who we are. Let me take you on a journey through some of the oddities that define our family.

The Midnight Dance-Offs

Birthdays in our family are not just about cutting a cake or singing the birthday song. They are a spectacle. At exactly midnight, when the clock strikes twelve, we kick off our choreographed dance-offs. The whole family participates, from the youngest to the eldest. Each person is assigned a segment of the routine weeks in advance, and rehearsals are taken very seriously. It’s like preparing for a grand theatrical performance. The strange part? None of us are professional dancers. In fact, most of us have two left feet, but that’s never stopped us from unleashing our inner performers.

What started as a spontaneous celebration years ago has now become an unmissable tradition. Imagine a room full of people, half-asleep but fully committed to nailing their moves, grooving to Bollywood hits or retro classics. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and absolutely heartwarming.

The Sunglasses Chronicles

Uncle Raj is a character you’d never forget if you met him. He insists on wearing sunglasses indoors. Whether it’s a brightly lit living room or a dimly lit restaurant, his shades stay on. When questioned, he simply replies, “Fluorescent lights are too mainstream,” with a dramatic wave of his hand. Over time, we’ve stopped asking him about it. Instead, we’ve made it a game to predict which pair of sunglasses he’ll don for an occasion. Will it be the oversized aviators or the retro round frames? Uncle Raj keeps us guessing.

The best part is that he has a story for every pair. According to him, one pair once helped him escape a “CIA-level interrogation” at an airport, while another was “blessed by a Tibetan monk.” Whether these tales are true or not, we’ll never know, but they add a dash of mystery and amusement to family gatherings.

The Dessert-First Rule

In our household, the concept of “saving the best for last” doesn’t exist when it comes to food. We believe in starting meals with dessert. It’s a rule that’s both strange and delightful. Imagine sitting down for dinner, and instead of soup or salad, you’re served a slice of rich chocolate cake or a bowl of creamy kheer. The idea is simple: life is unpredictable, so why not savor the sweet moments first?

This tradition began with my grandmother, who firmly believed that dessert was the highlight of any meal. She would often say, “Why wait for happiness when you can have it right now?” Over the years, this philosophy has seeped into our daily lives, reminding us to cherish joy whenever it comes our way.

The Cat with a Taste for Porcelain

Every family pet has its quirks, but our cat, Smokey, takes it to another level. Smokey refuses to drink water from a regular bowl. It has to be a porcelain bowl, preferably white, and placed in a specific corner of the kitchen. If these conditions aren’t met, he’ll meow incessantly until we comply. We’ve tried tricking him with different materials and locations, but Smokey is as stubborn as they come.

This peculiar habit has made him a minor celebrity in our neighborhood. Visitors often ask to see the “porcelain cat,” and Smokey, ever the diva, loves the attention. His antics have even inspired my younger cousin to write a short story titled The Aristocat, a fictionalized account of Smokey’s regal demands.

Family Meetings at the Weirdest Hours

Most families hold meetings during convenient hours, but not ours. For some inexplicable reason, we seem to have our most important discussions at the oddest times—usually late at night or in the early hours of the morning. It’s not uncommon to hear someone knocking on your door at 3 a.m. with the urgent announcement: “Family meeting in the living room, now!”

These meetings are rarely about anything urgent. Sometimes, it’s about planning a vacation or deciding on the menu for an upcoming festival. Other times, it’s just to share a funny incident or watch an old movie together. While it’s baffling and often interrupts our sleep, these impromptu gatherings have a strange charm. They remind us that no matter the hour, we’re always there for each other.

The Mysterious Family Heirloom

Like many families, we have a treasured heirloom passed down through generations. However, ours is not a piece of jewelry or an antique piece of furniture. It’s a peculiar-looking brass kettle with intricate carvings. No one knows its exact origin or purpose. Some say it’s a relic from an ancestor who was a trader; others believe it has mystical properties.

The kettle is kept in a glass case in the living room, and every family member has their own story about its significance. My brother swears it brings good luck, while my aunt insists it’s cursed and should never be touched. Regardless of the truth, the kettle has become a symbol of our family’s eccentricity, sparking debates and laughter at every gathering.

Strangeness That Binds Us

While these peculiarities might seem odd to outsiders, they are the glue that holds our family together. Each quirk, tradition, and strange habit carries a story, a memory, or a lesson that’s uniquely ours. They remind us to embrace our individuality and find joy in the unexpected. In a world that often prioritizes conformity, our family’s strangeness is a badge of honor.

Over the years, I’ve come to realize that what makes a family truly special are not the big milestones but the little, peculiar moments that bring us closer. It’s in the midnight dance-offs, the dessert-first dinners, and the porcelain bowls for a fussy cat. It’s in the sunglasses-wearing uncle, the 3 a.m. family meetings, and the mysterious brass kettle.

These quirks make us laugh, keep us connected, and give us stories to tell for generations. They remind us that life’s beauty lies in its imperfections and idiosyncrasies. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what family is all about?

What about your family? Do you have any strange traditions or habits that set you apart? Share them in the comments below! Let’s celebrate the beautiful weirdness that makes each family unique.