Family: Who Needs Them?
I’m talking about extended family, with many exceptions, of course. We’re just coming off a visit from many members of Kathleen’s family, and it’s been one of those things where everyone is in everyone else’s space and conflicts are more likely. Being the kind of person I am, it’s tough sharing my space, but the new house makes it easier. Our tiny place in Springville would have been a disaster (and was, when we had visitors in the past).
It seemed like an especially tough trip for Sarah, who hasn’t really traveled with Josh much. It’s a lot of work going anywhere with a nine-month-old, but even more so when you don’t really have a place to stay or any transportation. I remember how much work Isaac seemed at first, but it’s something you pretty much grow into, eventually. I don’t really mind the “borrowed” diapers and clothes Sarah used, but I do worry that without someone to fall back on, things could have been a lot worse. Anyway, everyone pitched in, and it’s behind us now.
So on top of Sarah’s troubles, Kathleen was just kicking off her job, getting classrooms ready, going to training and meetings, and in general being very busy. With family on top of that, it’s been a rough couple of weeks. I hope we’re getting to the point where things get into more of a rhythm soon. We’ve got football starting in a couple of weeks, and Kathleen’s schedule should be more established, hopefully letting her leave more work at the school so she can be with us when she’s at home.
So I guess family reunions aren’t really my thing. I think once it gets beyond aunts and uncles, it’s too far; my parents don’t see their cousins often, and it doesn’t seem like there’s really a point to me being there. It’s nice to have second cousins, I suppose, but my life isn’t really enriched by having lunch with them. We had a big reunion for some of Kathleen’s very extended family, and with all the scheduling issues and general business, it just seemed like an added stress rather than a good time. The kids were pretty miserable with nothing to do, and I was pretty grumpy too (just on principle, really). I really feel like we should put that kind of attention and time into people more attached to us; for example, I would rather have gone camping with Isaac than have him get yelled at by some distant cousin of Kathleen’s for playing with the curtains when he’s bored to tears.
Anyway, family is great, but the dose has been a little big these past few weeks, and I think we could all use some time to settle down. And clean out the fridge.