Last night I returned from what I am going to go ahead and label a “fruitful” and “delightful” visit with my sister in Los Angeles. The drive up was not too terrible; the drive back was even less painful. The time in between contained some of the more comfortable and congenial moments I have had the pleasure of sharing with my sister. This isn’t to say that we have problems getting along, the love and respect is unquestionable. I would say the problem has more been other things getting in the way.
The last year and a half I have started the process of coming out of a very long, very deep depression. Its kind of like forcibly birthing yourself again your mind. It’s amazing, dizzying, painful and fun all at the same time. In this time, I have found that my relationships with my sisters have been steadily improving as my admiration for them has grown. Last year I spent a great day with my sister #1 (whom I visited this weekend). It was probably the best we had connected in many years. That felt great. I would have been perfectly happy to stay at that level of connection with her. We could talk, we could laugh. Fast forward to this last weekend:
I hadn’t realized this but in the last few months I believe my sister has been undergoing a familiar process of self actualization. She moved and she is chasing her dream. She is making her creativity a priority in her life. The difference in her mood was certainly visible this weekend. She’s stressed, she’s neurotic; she wouldn’t be my sister if she wasn’t; but she is also happy. I feel a kindred sense of evolution with her right now. Its wonderful.
She is also working on a writing project which of course endears her to me immensely. I often make a thousand and one excuses for not doing it but writing is definitely a passion in my life. Being around my sister and her love for beauty and expression, spurred a little muse in myself. I want to write again. I cannot express how grateful I am for that.
So right now I am wondering how many people would benefit from taking a little one on one time with members of their family. Ask them about their passions and their goals. Even if you cannot completely relate with every aspect of them (for example I have no desire to be in front of the camera and my sister could live there), there are little wondrous things to be discovered. I have tried to keep my goal of growth and “bettering” myself foremost in mind but like my connection with my lovely sister, the world gets in the way. It was nice to push the world out of the way and not only connect with a very fascinating and dynamic person but also recommit myself to finding and living the life I need.
Thanks Lele!
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