All In The Fam

This morning on my way to work, I got to thinking about my aunt. She recently had a birthday and I sent her a greeting….it sparked some memories and some thoughts.

My mom and her sisters were thick as thieves! They were always calling each other, always writing each other, and always visiting each other’s homes. My cousin was my best friend and we wrote letters back and forth. She would always send me cool things from a piece of bubble gum (un-chewed!) to a cool poster of Chet Baker and Elvis to her snakes newly shed skin. …Needless to say the posters were more loved then the skin!

Growing up we would spend the night at uncles houses, babysit cousins, head to CA for a few days in the summer, hear letters from aunts rightfully bragging about my cousins, and the every Saturday call from my aunt in VA.

Twenty something years ago, my mom’s family fell apart. It started with an uncle and just dominoed. Cousins were lost and beloved aunts no longer existed.

The reasons arent clear to me anymore, mostly because I don’t care anymore. I don’t care anymore because now, as an adult, I look back and think “Holy FREAK! 20 years of stupid ridiculous selfish anger that should have been let go 20 something years ago!” Twenty something years of my mom & aunts and uncles selfishly taking their children away from their cousins and creating a selfish wedge between family….the MOST important thing God gave us and the ONLY thing that’s left when nothing else is.

Instead, siblings disgustingly “took sides” against eachother. There is an UNcivil war being ridiculously and pridefully fought between eight siblings that once were so amazingly close.

Luckily, the 2nd generation has had a less selfish approach to our lives. I am very fortunate that the 2nd generation has been able to put away their parents ridiculous selfish pride and anger and try to be friends with eachother….tho not a small task at best.

And after 20 something years of not knowing my cousin that was my best friend since I was born, We recently reconnected and even though our paths will probably never cross again, I know she is still there and I know her heart is still open and I am so happy for her successes!

Heres my point….put the past away, forgive and get over things.

Is it really worth it to spend 20 something years, of a very short existence, angry at someone that you probably cant even remember the reason why you were angry at them in the first place and if you actually do remember, you realize it was absolutely ridiculous and selfish?

My aunts and uncles (including my mother) are going to die without eachother. Without watching their nieces and nephews grow up and become successful and happy….without getting back the best friends they ever had…..their siblings that they had 20 something years ago…..and all because they are so selfish and ridiculous. It’s the saddest and most pathetic thing I have ever witnessed and PRAY that it isn’t genetic!

Kiss Your Pit!