Geek Out: My Family Edition

In all honesty, as much as I lean toward optimism to a fault, sometimes I massively underestimate my family. I love them. I always love them. Some members of my family have this habit of saying what they’re thinking, even if it’s unnecessary and hurtful. As the most talkative one of the bunch, I’m often the target of some of these useless, sucky phrases.

Over the years, I’ve gotten used to the idea that I’ll probably tear up at some point during the holidays and say to Isaiah, “They just don’t get me.” He’ll console me and wish that I would let him play with my uncles instead of keeping him all to myself.

This year was different.

Sometimes people astound you with what they see. Sometimes they astound you with what they don’t.

But this time, my family pleasantly surprised me.

You go through phases with family. You start out thinking they can do no wrong. They’re all wise. They’re all completely in love with you and your adorable little toddler-10-year-old self. My little cousin (13) is in the teenage phase where you think everyone hates you and that no one understands what you’re going through. I went through that. I think I got used to expecting that phase. At some point (for me, slowly over the last four years), you start to see your family in a different light. The glass image of them has been broken and you start to repair it…loving them for who they are and what they’re interested in as people. This may sound like common sense. Maybe I got it all too late.

My family really wants the best for Isaiah and I. I wasn’t sure they did.

My aunt even said to my mom about Isaiah and I, “Those two are going to make it.” It was the most heartwarming comment to hear secondhand. She believes in us. My mom agreed that she did too.

They talked for a while about how they believed in our relationship because of the way we fight. Never malicious and always over quickly.*

I enjoyed playing with my little cousins…daydreaming about the children that will be someday…how beautiful they’ll be. It was the perfect Thanksgiving. My aunt set up the table beautifully…she would kill me if she knew I took photos after we put butter on the table in the containers. You don’t mind though, do you?

We came home and at the end of a day-long drive, we unpacked the Christmas tree to decorate. My mom still puts my handmade ornaments on the tree from preschool through whenever-you-stop-making-ornaments-in-school. She gave us a beautiful mini-tree for our apartment. It looks so Christmas-y in here.

I bought a SUPER-tiny miniature tree for toddlers (the brand is called “My Own Tree”) with little mini-garland and tiny ornaments for the nightstand. Isaiah bought a candle called “Christmas.” It’s starting to smell and look like the holidays I remember loving.

Spending the quality time with my family over Thanksgiving really helped get me back in the giving, Christmas spirit. I got to spend a few days with my dog. Did I mention I have a dog? I named him Wishbone when I was 9. I hope it’s clear that I regrettably named him after a short-lived TV series that he reminded me of. He’s a cutie-pie though.

What’s got your Christmas spirit up to threat-level-red-and-green?

*We want to talk later, semi-in-depth about how we fight…I think it can be one of the most defining things about a relationship…for now, we’ll just leave you with that tidbit.

Advertisement