12/10/11

My sister Julie’s wedding is Saturday and I’ve been thinking a lot about our relationship and how it’s evolved since Dad first introduced me to her in Mom’s hospital room. Julie was born on a Friday and she’ll be married on a Saturday; it’s kind of interesting how our lives our dictated by dates, days of the week, lunar and astrological calendars.

December 10th will now be a bullet point in our family’s history; this is very important because it seems as though a lot of our family’s past has been forgotten. I can’t recall the day my great-grandmother or grandfather died, (even though I was at his house just hours after he died; keep in mind that I was pretty young). I don't know the birth dates or marriage anniversary dates of late family members or even the date my Dad was in his horrific car accident when I was young.

Anyone who knows me understands that I’m very sentimental. I create an emotional connection to the smallest objects or the briefest sentences. If I remembered the exact day that my grandfather died I would most certainly take a moment to share a memory of him with my wife or say a small thank you for him in my mind. I didn’t know him very well, but I know my father respects him to the highest regard and if that’s the case then I know he was a great man.

Because our immediate family had a hard time with extended family, us five became very close (Mom, Dad, Julie, Jenni and I). But as we got older and I left for college we all became less and less involved in each other’s day-to-day lives. My youngest sister was still a young girl when I left for school so we didn’t have a chance to connect until just recently... as adults.

My whole point here is I want our immediate family to welcome new members in and never use the phrase “extended family.” I want to know more and more about Julie’s husband. He’s my new brother. The day I was married I got five new sisters and a little brother. I’m not always the best at keeping tabs on them but when I’m around I try to make it a point to talk about what’s going on in their lives; mind you these conversations are mostly with the older siblings. Facebook and phone texts are ok, but to really see them face-to-face and hear them speak is really a treat.

This Saturday I’ll hear my sister and my new brother say “I do,” and that will be one of the greatest treats in my life.