Family ties
Last week was the last straw. I received a rude letter, written by someone who really had no idea. It seems politeness, respect and manners haven’t been taught to some people.
Instead of giving the man the earful he deserves, I’m going to chat about the one thing he seems to dislike -” ME.
I have siblings scattered across Australia. Many I haven’t seen for years, but hear from occasionally.
One sibling I haven’t seen or heard from in about 17 years is my younger sister, Kelli.
Kelli and I had it hard the first 10 years of our lives. Like many brother and sister combos, we fought like cats and dogs.
Kelli was the black sheep of the family, sneaking off at night, smoking, drinking -” all the things I wanted to do.
Instead of finishing school, Kelli ran off with a boy and soon became a mother. She took to motherhood easily.
I moved to Sydney and Kelli broke with her children’s father. She and the kids disappeared to Perth, with no one knowing where or who she was with.
Mum was frantic. We tried to make contact, but nothing.
It looked like she didn’t want to be found. We picked up the search when we could but a constant worry was in the back of our minds.
Over the years, we had a trickle from my nephew’s dad, letting us know she is OK, but nothing really.
A number plonked on my lap days ago. It was your sister’s last number. Try it, you may have some luck.
A flood of emotions swept me. Is she OK? What has she been doing? Why hasn’t she contacted us? So many questions. Do I open my arms to a family member who has gone off the rails? Is it better to let sleeping dogs lie?
Scared and excited, I took the easy way out and texted a brief message, outlining who I was and who I was looking for.
My phone lay silent that day and night, but I woke to a reply. I haven’t called or replied yet. Mixed emotions fill me and I don’t know what to say.
Back to the rude man I started with -” if anyone has any suggestions for topics for my column, please feel free to email me. All genuine suggestions will be tackled.
