Why is it that when I finally think life might be going my way, something has to screw things up?
I have the next two weeks off from work. I intended to spend the time relaxing, but it doesn’t look like it is going to work out that way.
I made plans to go out of town this week, and then find out that one of my best friends is having a birthday party. The party coordinator had typoed my email address when they were sending out the evites, so I didn’t find out about the party before I had other commitments. So, now I am torn. What do I do? Who do I disappoint?
Just as I was making my decision, my phone rings. It is my dad. My cousin Benny died. My dad is really torn up about it. I have a hard time feeling sorry for my cousin, because I feel like he did it to himself. He drank so much every day that his liver failed. My dad is really upset because he practically raised Benny. If it were just me, I wouldn’t be going to the service. It is hard to feel sorry for a man who deserted beautiful twin boys and a little girl who only wanted to see him smile. But, my dad was crying. My dad! My dad is not an emotional man. When I told my dad I would be there for him, he started crying even more and told me how much it meant to him.
Later my dad calls me and wants me to see if I can locate Benny’s half-sister. Being the computer geek, all such chores fall to me. So, here I sit, armed with a first and last name and the last known state she lived in. Hopefully, I have some good points stocked up and I can find her by some miracle, so I don’t let my dad down.
Life’s a bitch and then you die. Isn’t that what they say?
*sigh*
Alliance of Free Blogs - I found You Know You Wanna while searching for kitty porn. No, that's not a typo.
*hug*
None of the things you were talking about actually affect all the good things that recently happened to you. So nothing really got “screwed up” except 2 weeks you thought would be relatively stress-free. And I’m sure that, at a few points amid the birthday party and the search for the half-sister, you’ll find some time to relax.
I’m glad you’re able to be there for your father. I imagine he feels partially responsible for Benny’s death, even though he’s not… just because Benny did make so many mistakes in life and if your father helped raise him, he probably feels like any father would who can’t help his son.
I know it means a lot to him that you’re there for him. But it probably means a lot more that you’re just… who you are. That you’re happy. That he done good with you.
So be a little sad and disappointed for a while, and when you’re ready to come out of it, take a walk, call a friend, watch a silly movie, get a facial, or do whatever you need to do to celebrate how well your life is going.
Comment by kemidra — August 11, 2004 @ 4:27 am
Duty is duty. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Shoulder on regardless on a firm footing, head held high (can’t think of any more body parts to fit in this metaphore). Use the funeral as an excuse to buy clothes for it. :p
Money usually helps in locating people, as there’s no end to investigative people-locating websites, scum of the earth though they are. If you don’t have money, give it the ol’ college try a few times on infospace.com, then give up, ’cause it’s hard to find people who don’t want to be found or have drifted away. Especially a woman who might’ve married and changed names since then. They usually knew what they were doin’ when they drifted, so it’s not a big deal.
Your father will be ok if you don’t find the half-sister-once-removed.
Yarha, Wondering If There’s a Closer Next-to-Kin Who Should Be Doing This?
Comment by yarha — August 11, 2004 @ 4:59 am
PS: If life’s a bitch, it’s helpful to learn to love bitches.
Mmmmm, bitches. And I write that in a completely positive way!
Yarha, Life’s a Beach With Lotsa Sand
Comment by yarha — August 11, 2004 @ 5:03 am
*Hugs*
Comment by pathfinder02 — August 11, 2004 @ 5:29 am
Send me the name and last known city. I have access to the phone company directory here at work and it oftenhad better info than the web searchs
Comment by grizzilla — August 11, 2004 @ 7:24 am
I’m sorry to hear that.
Good luck on your search.
Comment by maskedfencer — August 11, 2004 @ 9:04 am
/comfort
If you need help with your search, you know where to find me.
Your dad does feel badly, mainly because he’s lost the son he helped raise. Not a matter of genetics, but of love. Sorry Benny died, but he paid his price too. Hope he makes it to the other side okay.
Comment by chumas — August 11, 2004 @ 9:19 am
“Life’s a bitch and then you die.
So fuck it all, and go get high.”
Isn’t that the truth? hmph.
*sighs* Good luck.
Comment by lovelesspoet — August 11, 2004 @ 9:30 am
I’m glad I went - I don’t think I have ever felt closer to my dad in my entire life.
Comment by jaxia — August 25, 2004 @ 5:33 am
Yeah, I wasn’t able to find her, but we did find some of his kids that he hadn’t talked to in awhile. As the resident computer geek, I get to give advice on all kinds of things.
Comment by jaxia — August 25, 2004 @ 5:34 am
*thanks dear*
Comment by jaxia — August 25, 2004 @ 5:34 am
I appreciate it - Seattle, WA, but it doesn’t matter too much now. It is all over and done with. Thanks, gentle giant!
Comment by jaxia — August 25, 2004 @ 5:35 am
I’m not sorry. Well, sorry for his family. Bah. I am still bitter about it.
Comment by jaxia — August 25, 2004 @ 5:35 am
I agree - it is about the love, not genetics. My friggin grandmother, when she found out he died, was more worried about the state of his soul and whether or not he was right with God! I just don’t get some people. Argh!
Comment by jaxia — August 25, 2004 @ 5:36 am
I waved to you when I drove by - Could you tell?
Thanks.
Comment by jaxia — August 25, 2004 @ 5:37 am
Well for the record I was on the ball and ready to help
Comment by grizzilla — August 25, 2004 @ 8:24 am
Moi? When? Where?… O_o
Comment by lovelesspoet — August 25, 2004 @ 8:41 am
anytime my friend. =)
Comment by pathfinder02 — August 25, 2004 @ 8:55 am
When are you not ready and willing? Oh, and BTW - I got a new mini skirt! I am still waiting to find out when the next mini/kilt party is being held!
Comment by jaxia — August 25, 2004 @ 10:14 am
I was in Houston
Comment by jaxia — August 25, 2004 @ 10:14 am
strange how the words “new mini skirt” come to mind when thinking about me being “willing and able”
How in the world are you? It has been alittle while, eh?
Comment by grizzilla — August 25, 2004 @ 10:14 am
Ohhhhh! COOL! *pouts* No…I didn’t see you…
Comment by lovelesspoet — August 25, 2004 @ 12:06 pm
I kept meaning to call you, then I forgot to store your numbers. I need to get them again.
You noticed that too, eh? I think I’ll refrain from commenting on how my mind works
Comment by jaxia — August 26, 2004 @ 7:36 am
I was trying to send out the *waves hello* vibe. I guess I need to work on it. Maybe next time!
Comment by jaxia — August 26, 2004 @ 7:37 am
If you mind works anything like mine there was at least 50 steps between “willing and able” and “miniskirt” and not all of them really ahd anything to do with each other.
I’ll send you my new digits in email. Not sure if you have the new ones witht he new cell and new house
Comment by grizzilla — August 26, 2004 @ 7:53 am
Haha, okay.
Comment by lovelesspoet — August 26, 2004 @ 1:10 pm
These days, I don’t even know which email address you have for me. Use the one with my name at yahoo, I hope you have that one.
Comment by jaxia — September 4, 2004 @ 3:25 pm
Yep. I have that one. Was just taking me a while to get around to sending email.
Address and phone number is enroute!
Comment by grizzilla — September 4, 2004 @ 5:47 pm