I’m not big on celebrating my birthday, preferring the day to pass rather quietly. This year, somehow, things came together to make it an especially good day.
(more…)Tag: Family
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January 26, 2024
Write about a few of your favorite family traditions.
One tradition that I adore is how we all end our text messages with, “Loves.” Every time we send a text message to each other, no matter how long or short, or whether it’s a text thread or quick one-liner, we end the message the same way. In fact, we do this with emails, too.
I’m pretty sure my sister started it. I would love to have kept that first text message, but I would never have known that this is what it would become. Why did she write, “Loves,” and not, “Love you.”
Maybe it was back when text messages were limited to 140 characters. She could’ve been trying to write “Love S,” but had to contract it to save the character. Why did we all copy her after that? We had to have been making fun of her, but which one of us? My mom wouldn’t have.
However it began, it stuck. If say, we forget to write, “Loves,” at the end of a message, we’ll follow with a text message that reads only, “Loves.” It’s a compulsion.
To me, it’s become a minute affirmation of the love we have for each other.
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October 8, 2023
I’ve never been all that big on family events. Dinners and barbecues, weddings and celebrations, with my family have never appealed to me. I’d rather not go. My extended family gets along great, from what I can tell, but I can’t seem to find the same comfort in their company.
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August 22, 2023
A year ago today, I picked up Genevieve and Eloise. They had different names, Wynonna and Loretta, respectively. I wanted French names, not ones that sounded like characters in a Western. Genevieve is named after a passing fancy from my university days. Eloise because it’s just a lovely name.
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August 17, 2023
A “hard launch,” I’m told, is when you post a picture of you and your partner on Instagram after having kept it a secret. A “soft launch” is when you post a picture of you and your partner on Instagram at the end of a gallery of related photos after having kept it a secret. Hannah posted a picture of us on her Instagram Stories today while we were waiting to board at the airport.
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August 13, 2023
My parents have a massage chair that I love using. When they first got it, they wanted to buy a second. I don’t hear them talking about it much anymore. When I visit, I can’t wait to use it.
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August 12, 2023
Chai – tea – is a staple in my parents’ household. I remember my mom drinking tea out of a bowl because she was running late. If she’d left it in the mug, it’d be too hot. Every morning, the first thing my dad does is turn on the kettle. At every social event, there’s tea. Coffee isn’t so much a thing.
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June 23, 2023
I finally got around to fixing my lathe today. It was easy enough. I’m glad I didn’t put it off any longer. I’m really looking forward to getting some time in tomorrow.
Whenever I do things like this – fixing things, especially anything electronic – I can’t help but think of my dad. I sent him a picture of what I was doing but I had to pick up the phone and call. Hearing his voice made me feel better. I knew what I was doing but wanted to check in with him about it.
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May 18, 2023
There are a few things around the house that my dad asked me to help him with, things he can’t do because his leg is still recovering from surgery. Normally, he’d just get them done. He’s a handy guy.
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May 17, 2023
My sister told me that if she finds something interesting, she’ll research it and then write about it. That is how she chooses to approach life. I love it. It’s simple and straightforward, much like her. She’s managed to make a career off of her curiosity. I want to do the same.
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May 16, 2023
Weddings and funerals bring people together. I’m here for the latter. I’ve seen people I haven’t seen in close to twenty years.
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May 14, 2023
I had forgotten what it’s like to live with people. More accurately, I’m not used to being surrounded by people all of the time.
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