Familiar but not

[susandennis]

This is an interesting and kind of surreal experience. I think I saw my brother briefly in 2001 and when my father died in 1999 and then maybe one weekend in the early 90's. In other words, not much. I've been face to face with his current wife 2 times - those times in the 90's.

So I don't really know them but half the photos in a hallway full of family photos are my family. It's weird.

My brother is far more comfortable and easy to be around than I ever remember his being before. His wife (Dana) is not really my kind of person but very very nice and warm and welcoming. Their home is all her and appointed with the utmost care. They have lovely things and the house feels like the people who live here are nice, fun, interesting people. (They have the most interesting and unusual living room furniture I have ever seen - photos will be forthcoming.)

Bill's (bro) shop is just neat. He has a little retail side action and then his back room is a hardware wonderland. I didn't finish checking it all out. He says we can go back.

I had never met his step son (who helped him get the shop started and has worked by his side ever since). He seems like a very nice guy. And my nephew was there and he was a little nicer and sharper than I expected (I know, I know). Bill says both boys and their individual Jennifers will be coming over on Sunday.

I'm so glad I came. I was really second guessing myself with the hassle of the airport and the tiny airplane seats (where do normal sized people put their legs? I'm not the least bit tall (maybe 5'5" if I stretch the truth and stand on a 1" ledge) and I had no leg room). But it was worth it.

Now I'm going to listen to some of my book and then go to sleep. (These people go to bed earlier than I do!)

Comments

[dizzdvl.livejournal.com]

I thought her name was Trey? ;)

[pisceandreamer.livejournal.com]

Sounds like things are going very well!

Oh, and as far as legroom goes - US Airways DCA to PHX - I'm 5'4" and my knees were bashed on that flight.

[teasdale.livejournal.com]

My brother is far more comfortable and easy to be around than I ever remember his being before.

I find this to be very interesting, since I feel the same way about my brother, Larry. I know our circumstances aren't the same, but I'm getting to know my brother after many years of not being in contact at all. Whenever I'd refer to him before, I'd always say he was really a stranger to me. Now that we are establishing a brother/sister relationship again, I find myself thinking of what a nice guy he really is. We are able to talk to each other fairly easily and even laugh about things in our family's past. It's been really nice finding out that I have a big brother again.

I'm glad you're having a good time. :)

[susandennis]

I thought about that (what you had said about Larry) last night as I was chatting with Bill. Wild, eh? And interesting.

[howeird]

Makes me go "hmmmm". It sounds like you have been assigned less than 100% compatible siblings. I have pretty much nothing in common with any of my sisters, but we've always gotten along well as adults. It probably helps that none of them live in easy visiting distance (nearest is 800 miles away).

But we've always written or emailed or phoned. I can't conceive of completely losing track of their lives.