Turns out the whole situation with my brother was not so bad as it had seemed. At least according to him. But it did make me realise that I should try and have a relationship with my adorable niece and whatever transpired between Brother dear and the rest of the family has nothing to do with me, at least not directly. If he chooses to live his life a certain way and even though I think it is a horrible way, I can do nothing about it and I should just let things be.But what I can do is not completely give up on him and definitely not give up on being an awesome aunt to his daughter. I am a pretty awesome aunt. Ask my three nephews. Of course one of them has not started to talk yet and the middle one probably loves everyone, while the eldest, well he will never answer a controversial question like this. The point is, it just is too much of a baggage to carry, having a member of your family estranged. Having anyone estranged is too much for me. I cant even deal with someone being mad at me for a single night.
But there is nothing more special than family. I went to the airport last Saturday and stood outside the arrival gate with a pounding heart, expecting the worst. My parents came out looking fresh and rested and not much older than last year. I was relieved. Papa was telling me how much fun it was to travel business class. It seemed like they wouldn't have mind one bit if the pilot had taken an extra trip up to New York and back.
But I am glad, so glad that they are here. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Whenever they are here it just makes things better. It feels selfish when i am here and they are there alone. But when they are in the US it makes my being here okay. SO practically speaking i want them here for selfish reasons. The fact that they like being here with us and the kids makes it all the more right.Of course then I came back to Seattle and my parents stayed in the bay with Aapi, but it is still better that they are here with us.
Its graduation day at Seattle's UW and I happen to be in the neighborhood. It is such an exciting day in their young adult lives. The sense of accomplishment is so strong that it shines so brightly on the happy faces, both of the students and their families. But these are troubling times and the class of 2009 will have an early reality check as they look for work in this barely existing job market. Welcome to the real world, and that too so soon. Usually it takes a while to realise that the exciting real world that beckoned us while we trudged along in the hallways of our Alma maters, is more like a boot camp obstacle course, a series of myriad challenges. Of course, you don't have to worry about homework deadlines, mid-terms and finals and thesis and projects. But you will also no longer enjoy 4 months of vacation a year. You will have more money but you will also have more taxes, more responsibilities and more challenges. More to do at work, that is if you can find work. OK I will stop bumming out the class of 2009 now . They will deal with life themselves as they continue to discover its real meaning and their place in this universe as an employee, as a spouse as a parents and as a child of very old parents. Good luck to them.
Right now I am off to watch a movie and enjoy my Sunday evening, before another crazy work week begins.
Guruji has struck a friendship with Papa, I am nervous and happy at the same time. As long as Guruji behaves himself things should be okay. hmm Lets see.
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