The People Who Truly Know You

It's been an epic few weeks. I'm the second of five kids, and my three younger siblings and I haven't all been together in over eleven years. But they came for a visit from near, far, and very far, and we packed my house with cousins, aunties and uncles, and created some wonderful memories together. I was in heaven. Except when I was edgy or tense because of my shortcomings as a hostess. I'm so glad they're my sisters and brother!

There is something about quality time with The People Who Truly Knew You back when that is just different. I've got wonderful friends who have known me for most of my life. Some even date back to the pre-school era. But as close as we are, they didn't live in the crazy house with us, and I didn't share my experiences growing up, because frankly, as a child I didn't know that other families weren't like ours. That awareness came much later, when I started spreading my wings a bit.

The first night we were finally all in the same room, and our spouses and kids were all asleep, the four of us originals stayed up till almost dawn, talking about our past.

We shared so many stories that only those who lived there could truly appreciate. Somehow in the sharing, the pain shrinks just a little bit and it becomes just another memory. After all these years, we could even laugh over a lot of the experiences . It was good therapy and bonding time.

Ironically, during our time together, we got news from our older brother, the only one that wasn't with us. For reasons I won't get into, most of us have either limited or no contact with him, too. But he called our younger brother to let him know that our dad was in the hospital.

My reaction to this news was kind of strange...I felt disconnected from it, but also curious. Much like I think I'd feel if was the first person to happen upon a car accident. I mean, I hope he's okay, and am kind of interested in the details, but I'm not really emotionally invested in it. It doesn't reach me the way I think a normal daughter would be reached upon news of her father's ill health.

We "what if'd" about how we'd feel if he died, (his condition can be fatal, but doesn't have to be), and are all in different places about it. For me, I honestly don't know that I'd attend his funeral. Perhaps if it actually happened I'd decide differently--I have no idea how I will feel if when it happens. Maybe I'd make myself go...who knows.

So while we were all here discussing things and having fun together, our older brother flew out to our parents home for a few days to help out with things. As it turns out, our parents don't have a will (!?!?), and this experience was a bit of a wake-up call for our mother who, apparently, "isn't ready to take the reigns" when that time comes. I don't know that anyone ever is, but being prepared can certainly help reduce stress.

I clearly have a long road ahead of me still, with regard to my "upline" (as I think of them collectively). But for now, it was nice to have a chance to be together with my darling younger sibs after all this time.

Grateful for:

1) Fun museums, Chuck O Rama, bowling, snow angels, blue skies, Inlaws, sledding, static electricity, skiing, the temple, bottles, hiking, FroYo, burned rice, BUNK, singing 80's music, laundry machines, Tahitian dance, deflated air mattresses, awesome friends, space heaters, cute cousins, acoustic guitar, paper plates, smoothies, late nights, chocolate macadamia nuts, the color orange, trampolines, loaner cars/clothes & beds, In&Out, good health, cupcakes, two showers, long talks, a supportive spouse, and the worlds three best siblings!

2) A house that, though tiny, everyone was able to cram into.

3) Triangle of Life :-)

♥

♥ ♥