Saturday, December 26, 2009

Family


I love taking photographs. I record my life with forensic determination. I realized this morning that I don't have a single picture of you. You don't factor into my life, because every time I let you, everything seems to explode around me. If I had the choice, you would not even exist on the fringes of my life anymore. But what they say about family is true. You can't choose them.

I know people have unreasonably high expectations of family and holiday togetherness. So I try to empty myself of those kinds of thoughts. But my expectations—of having a holiday when you were quiet and maybe even civil to me—were still too high.

Sitting by the river, I run over the argument in my head. I came to you because I thought I'd somehow offended you. I asked how, and apologized. You started yelling. You didn't stop. I look over to the other side of the river and realize there is no bridge that will get me to the far side. It will always be within sight, but forever out of reach.

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