39 posts tagged “family”

My niece has twice sent me an invite to join Upromise. I don't know why this offends me, but it does. Perhaps if it didn't seem like such a chore for her to answer an email. Or that she reached this way once in a while with something other than the monthly Target photo salon pictures (and I use "salon" loosely). Right now if there was anyone I'd want to help save for college, it would be my Godson. Someone I know and like (and he seems to like me back). 

Today is my oldest brother's 68th birthday. I'm 42. Yes, that's 26 years between us.

It was 8th grade. We were in the same History class. She joined us mid-year and we met because my friend was her cousin. One day we had a field trip to a local military base. She was sitting behind me as we waited for everyone to file back into our classroom. I thought I'd be nice and make conversation.

So, how long have you know Carolyn?

She looked at me funny, "Um, my whole life? (insert pause here because my airhead was showing) She's my cousin."

Oh, yeah.

And that's how I met my best friend.

I can't begin to tell you how many times I have thanked God for her. Her family. And today is one of those days.

She read the post about the porch. She recruited her construction guru brother-in-law to take on the project. He was going to go by mom's this afternoon (she was here) and measure the porch. When time allows he'll come put a wooden handrail in.

What a blessing from God. I'm still feeling very emotional about it. Grateful. For my not-by-blood, but because-of-love family.

Which one of your ancestors would you most like to talk to? 
Submitted by Kathy.

My first thought was my dad, but I don't think that's true.

Then I thought about my Grandmother, Diana. Or my grandfather Sidney. They both came to the states from the UK. That interests me a lot. The how and why. In hindsight, would they have made the same decisions?

Yes, I am only a second generation American.

How are you spending Christmas Day?

Mom and I had a late breakfast at my house this morning. We opened gifts and hung out before going to the movies.

I wanted to see the new Denzel Washington movie, but couldn't believe how long the lines were when we got to the theater. By the time we got up to the ticket window, there were only 30 seats left, which means sitting too close to the screen for my eyes. So we saw Enchanted instead. Which was really sweet . . . enchanting, actually.

After taking mom home, I went to my best friend's house. We had some dinner, opened gifts and played games.

Now I'm home to hang out with my girls. And figure out my new Nintendo DS.

All-in-all, it was a nice day.

What makes your best friend so special? 
Submitted by Jessmiloo.

When I saw this question, I thought, Ooooh, I want to write a loving, funny tribute to my friend so that she knows how I feel about her.

But that shit's hard.

She's been in my life nearly 30 years. You name it, we've already laughed about it. Or cried about it. She's my "next of kin" on my in-case-of-emergency card. She's my family.

In then end, I know I don't have to write the long diatribe. She already knows how I feel. That's why she's my best friend.

I read in USA Today this week that "studies show that lonely people tend to react more intensely to life’s problems."

So I guess that’s why I get my feelings hurt when I receive emails like the one I got yesterday from my niece:

Thanks for my booties!

Will you send me grandma's email address?

That's the entire email. No hello, good-bye or kiss my ass.

A picture of said booties was included, which was a nice touch. However, said booties also came with a large quantity of diapers, an outfit, swimsuit and hat, pack of cute t-shirts (western sheriff style with "I’m in charge around here" type sayings) and a music CD.

I had to call and ask mom about the booties because I didn’t recognize/remember them. That’s because she picked them out.

People have been telling me that I shouldn’t let her bother me.

Yes, I know I react more intensely to things than other people do.

I figured that one out a long time ago.

Yes, I know I need to let it go.

Trust me, if I could control what I feel -- if I could "let it go" -- I wouldn’t need to lose 40 lbs.

I really do have a lot of things I think to write about. And then I sit in front of my computer and start playing games. Because being mindless is way easier than putting together thoughts and complete sentences. Not that I am always good at that complete sentence part.

I have been down this week. It's the stupid family stuff. I have not exercised. I nap when I come home. Play Alchemy or Bejeweled 2 until it's time to go to bed. I haven't even been watching my shows this week.

I guess part of me thinks I am good at separating the heart stuff from my brain. Guess not. Did that even make sense? Guess not.

I made the mistake of falling in love with that baby. I heard myself say in my head, You know, it's really not too late. Course my immediate response was Yes, it is. (What? Like you don't talk to yourself that way?) It's really about that baby and the lost chances with my own niece and nephew.

I don't see my niece changing her heart towards mom and I. It's not that she's not cordial (although not chatty), but there is no warmth there at all. We could be complete stangers bearing gifts. I totally feel her wall, and trust me, I can throw up a wall with the best of them.

So I think it's that sense of loss that hurts the most. I know that with time and absence I'll get back to the place where I don't think about it daily. Dammit, I'm tearing up.

Maybe it's the loss of family. Because once mom is gone I am alone. Alone.

Yes, I have friends that are like family. Hell, better than my own family.

I don't know. Maybe I just need to call my therapist.

grandma, great-aunt, great-grandma, mom and new baby