Holidays present a special opportunity to check in with family. That's largely what they are about. But it can be a strange thing to step into another's life.
Today we drove to Waverly, Ohio where my grandmother lives. Because of traffic we arrived later than planned and only stayed for a few hours, exchanging presents, talking a bit, and allowing time for my mother to help my grandmother with some mending and sorting clothing gifts. And then we left.
We only get a glimpse of what life is like for her. And it is possible for her to show a specific side for a short period if she so chooses. And after that period we are left to a long distance relationship, of learning about one another through my mother or occasional phone calls that only connect if they happen to be convenient in our unknown lives. She goes out to get lunch at a certain, naps at a certain time. I teach, and prepare for teaching. It's hard to know what is really convenient and comfortable in terms of scheduled communication.
So it is wonderful to have the opportunity to actually be in the same room. And at the same time mysterious. Life goes on for both of us, different challenges and beauties, years and miles apart.
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