Family is special
For all that I sometimes complain my family drives me crazy, I do love them lots. It's one of those things where, you know, I might grouse about them all I want, but if anybody else were to try to saying anything against my family, I'd be like, "Watch what you're saying, buster -- that's MY family you're talking about!!"
I was really exasperated with Blink two days ago coz I was booking flight tickets for us to visit Mom & Dad in Sabah next year, and although at first he said, "You book whenever, then just let me know and I'll apply for leave from work," later it turned out that he couldn't make it on those dates I'd booked, and now I have to go through the hassle of changing the flight dates. I was only partially mollified when Blink said he would pay the penalty fee (RM50 per flight ticket).
Upon ranting and raving to several friends, one suggested I simply go to Sabah on my own (ie. without Blink). "It will save you all the trouble," he said. According to him, he and his siblings live their separate lives and only meet for special occasions. "It's time you start doing that. It will save you lots of heartache," he added.
I was quite appalled. I mean, Blink and I have never lived in each other's pockets anyway, but he's my brother (my ONLY brother, as Mom used to say) and if I were to keep him on the fringes of my life just because it's more convenient for me, what kind of person would that make me?
Of course it's sometimes easier to deal with family from a distance, and for some of us that might be the only way we can cope with them. But even if that were my way of dealing with my family (and it isn't), I wouldn't advocate it to other people because I'd know that this isn't the way families are supposed to function!
Anyway, I booked flights for May coz that's when Dad's birthday is and I thought it would be a great time to visit him. I usually try to go home for both parent's birthdays (Mom's is in Oct). And I asked Blink whether he wanted to go coz firstly, it would be nice to visit Mom & Dad together, and secondly, Blink's four years younger than me and I'm used to looking out for him in some ways. Old habits die hard! ;)