Slipping The Surly Bonds Of Earth...
You all may be wondering why I haven't been posting...
Well, just had a death in the family - it was my grandfather. My grandfather and grandmother raised me from age 11 on. Most of the important things I know about life came directly or indirectly from lessons they taught me. Because of that upbringing I am now "the rock" as my Aunt Ruth puts it. In any case I'm on leave in Iowa (my home) until mid-March.
It's really interesting - there's my 12 year old cousin, 21 year old sister, 48 year old aunt, 70+ year old (other) aunt and uncle, 80+ year old grandmother, and a bunch of others that have been around. But I'm "the rock" - I'm in charge; the executor of the estate and the one who makes all the arrangements (sell the house, sell the car, move my grandmother to my aunt's house, etc, etc). I'm only 24 (and just turned 24).
When my dad passed away about five months ago I had my grandfather help me be "the rock" and make those arrangements - I took the lead, but I had backup in that role - we were a team. Now he's gone and I'm it - the team is broken. It's an odd feeling - much as if a torch has been passed into my still very young hands. Don't get me wrong - I still have support from friends and family - they're helping, but all of the sudden it feels very lonely being at the top of my family and no matter how much support you get - how much you can delegate and get done - you're still the one at the top - the one everybody is (and can) depend on.
On the positive side it's been very good getting back with the family - it's been more than a year since I've seen some of my extended family, and about five months since I've last been home (the aforementioned death of my dad) - so we've all been going out, sharing stories, taking care of my grandmother, going through old pictures and memories, and trying to find some good stuff to laugh about with one another. It's the worst kind of family reunion, but it's still a reunion - and there's some positives in that.
Well, I didn't intend to post this much about it, but it's helped and that's good.
Also, as a note - life has been still going on - there's some news on the dating front, a few ideas for postings bubbling up (you can't keep a blogger down) and they'll all be coming when I need a good break from the very real life I've been living lately.
Until next time - here's to family :)
AirForceKush - aka - The Arctic Fox
Well, just had a death in the family - it was my grandfather. My grandfather and grandmother raised me from age 11 on. Most of the important things I know about life came directly or indirectly from lessons they taught me. Because of that upbringing I am now "the rock" as my Aunt Ruth puts it. In any case I'm on leave in Iowa (my home) until mid-March.
It's really interesting - there's my 12 year old cousin, 21 year old sister, 48 year old aunt, 70+ year old (other) aunt and uncle, 80+ year old grandmother, and a bunch of others that have been around. But I'm "the rock" - I'm in charge; the executor of the estate and the one who makes all the arrangements (sell the house, sell the car, move my grandmother to my aunt's house, etc, etc). I'm only 24 (and just turned 24).
When my dad passed away about five months ago I had my grandfather help me be "the rock" and make those arrangements - I took the lead, but I had backup in that role - we were a team. Now he's gone and I'm it - the team is broken. It's an odd feeling - much as if a torch has been passed into my still very young hands. Don't get me wrong - I still have support from friends and family - they're helping, but all of the sudden it feels very lonely being at the top of my family and no matter how much support you get - how much you can delegate and get done - you're still the one at the top - the one everybody is (and can) depend on.
On the positive side it's been very good getting back with the family - it's been more than a year since I've seen some of my extended family, and about five months since I've last been home (the aforementioned death of my dad) - so we've all been going out, sharing stories, taking care of my grandmother, going through old pictures and memories, and trying to find some good stuff to laugh about with one another. It's the worst kind of family reunion, but it's still a reunion - and there's some positives in that.
Well, I didn't intend to post this much about it, but it's helped and that's good.
Also, as a note - life has been still going on - there's some news on the dating front, a few ideas for postings bubbling up (you can't keep a blogger down) and they'll all be coming when I need a good break from the very real life I've been living lately.
Until next time - here's to family :)
AirForceKush - aka - The Arctic Fox
AirForceKush,
I'm so sorry for you loss. I've been through part of that before, but never left having to deal with so much responsibility in the wake of such an event. Keep hanging in there, things will get better. Also, I finally got my assignment and it looks like I'm following one of our co-workers to northern California. See you when you get back.
Thanks for the good comment - it does mean a lot and the to do list here at home is shrinking every day!
I'm glad to see you didn't get the northern assignment you feared and all should be well when I get back in about a week and a half - keep up the good work!
AirForceKush
Hey Louis, sorry to hear about this... this is the first I've been able to check your website. I hope all is well otherwise and that you're enjoying sunny Florida.
I'll see you in April - take care of yourself down there!
Melissa