My family suffers from a lack of follow-up (my family suffers from a lot of things). Miranda recently became angry when she witnessed a situation wherein I reached out to my cousin and was met with no acknowledgment. I, on the other hand, expected nothing less (more?). In fact, I am shocked when people do the things they say they are going to do-- even people outside my family. Whenever I make plans with someone I haven't yet learned to predict, I tend to assume they will cancel. When someone tells me they will call, email, or come to an event I mention, I assume they'll never show up.
Last night was one of those rare occasions where people just happened to come together: a cousin from the western part of the state, a cousin from my city (whom I haven't seen since she moved here, of course), an aunt from the north, and me. My aunt was reading two poems at an independent bookstore. Admittedly, poetry readings are not my thing. I went because I'm tired of my aunt making me feel guilty for not. And I'm tired of the lack of follow-up and my own snowballing laziness. It ended up being nice. And it has left me with a newfound motivation to follow through. Why haven't my nearby cousin and I gotten together? Why do I tend to hang out with people once and then make excuses for why we don't get together more often?
The answers to those questions are both complicated and ridiculous, I'm sure.
Right now my 'western' cousin is trying to bring the entire family together for Memorial Day weekend. We will gather and open the family camp for the season. We will build something out of the stones from the recently dismantled fireplace (originally constructed by my deceased grandfather-- what I wouldn't give to have another chance to take some photos of the beautiful structure). We will ceremoniously acknowledge our grandfather, and our family bonds, and the shift happening within and between us all. That is, of course, if we can manage to follow through.
Most of the time I am with Miranda on the subject; people who don't follow through suck. I need reliable people in my life (see also: reason # 32418 why I love Miranda). I have, however, come to realize that the unreliable ones are still sometimes worth it. As an unreliable cousin once said, 'You have to meet people where they are.'
11:51 - Friday, Nov. 30, 2007
Recent entries:
- - Monday, Dec. 31, 2007
The Moments to Live For - Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007
message of Christmas Peace - Friday, Dec. 07, 2007
just a bunch of breast tissue - Wednesday, Dec. 05, 2007
a poetry reading - Friday, Nov. 30, 2007
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