Instead, a few thoughts on family.
I mean, what is it about them? Their unerring ability to remind you, every single time you see them, of the worst you’ve ever been. Had the big Shore Party shindig this past weekend, and I couldn’t help but notice on several occasions that being around my family entices me to behave as they expect me to behave. It’s one of them thar never-ending cycles.
Which isn’t to say the weekend was awful, or anything like that. It went rather well, I think. But still…
There are times I regret my big Irish Catholic family, and the at-times ridiculous closeness of us all. It’s easier to be blase about a repetitive comment made by the somewhat annoying family member if it’s only made occasionally, rather than every weekend.
For the record, yes, I like to sleep in. And yes, in years past, when I was less than diligent about my sunblock application, I would sometimes miss a spot. Does this need to be brought up in conversation every-single-time I see certain family members? No, I think not.
Sigh.
All that said, between one thing and another, I think the weekend after next will be my last Shore weekend for the year, unless, as threatened, I gather the geeks for a gamefest weekend. But that’ll be less beachy than autumnal. So there.
Well, consider the alternatives. You could be from a family that wasn’t close at all. I assume my father, brother and sister are still alive, but I couldn’t say for sure, having had no contact with any of them for many years.
My guess is that it’s nice to know that your family members care about you, but I’ll never know for sure. It seems to me, though, that it might be worth putting up with endless repetitions of embarrassing stories in exchange for familial love. Am I wrong about that?
No, of course you’re not wrong, Avo. And yes, in comparison with the worst case scenario, I’ve got it pretty good. I recognize that. Doesn’t mean I don’t sometimes feel ungrateful, or think about being further away from them. And it doesn’t mean I wish them ill. Of course not.
Everyone has some kind of familial issues. That’s the only constant.
Hmm… Upon consideration, I realize it sounds like I was trying to pull the rug out from under you!
You’re right; everybody has issues. Yours are as important to you as mine are to me. You need to vent a little, and here I am, trying to make you feel like it’s unimportant.
Bah. I really need to learn to be more supportive, and less self-involved.
Okay, let’s see…
I know! We need to give your family new stories to tell about you! Anybody with good Kate stories, email them to her family right away, okay?
That helps, right, Kate?