There seems to be a lineage of neglect or perceived neglect in my mother’s lineage. She didn’t feel loved by her dad because he always had to take care of his alcoholic wife and then when his son was born – he was the favourite. My mom used to try to force us together as family – she thought it was important. We would go to my uncle’s house in White Rock with my cousin Lindsey. She was younger and kind of a dud. I never felt any uncly vibes from my uncle. Wait – did he buy a convertible sports car once when I was under seven years old and take me for a spin? Was that him? I’ll have to ask.
I never really felt a fondness for him or my aunt Barb. She was Lindsey’s mom – but there was his other daughter too – Carissa, from his first marriage. We were estranged from her until about 17/18 years ago. My mom had reached out to her and started to build the relationship.
Our family is very fragmented. Both of my grandmothers died before I was born – my great-grandma died when I was five. My dad’s dad died when I was six or seven. I never really had aunts or uncles…
where rivers are born 