Dancing Around ‘I Miss You’: A Peek into Our Family’s Emotional Ballet
There’s a peculiar dance my family and I partake in, an elaborate ballet of excuses and intricate explanations conducted primarily over phone calls. It’s a dance that often leaves me wondering, “Why on earth does the simple phrase ‘I miss you’ feel like a calculus problem?”
The Costco Visit
Let’s rewind to last week when my dear sister, Emily, called me from a land far, far away (okay, it’s only 45 minutes, but who’s counting?). She announced she had to come over to pick something up from a Costco near my house. Now, any rational human being would point out that there’s a closer Costco, a mere 25-minute journey from her home. But no, Emily is on a mission to make a pilgrimage to my local Costco.
When I questioned her about this seemingly illogical choice, she responded with an explanation more intricately woven than a Persian rug. I could almost see her in her living room, stringing together reasons like a skilled puppeteer. I laughed it off, thinking, “Ah, Emily, you creative soul, using a Costco pickup as a smokescreen for a sisterly visit.”
Fast forward to yesterday, and I found myself engaged in a similar dance. I dialed my mom, spinning a yarn about how my dog, Bella, needed a playdate with her dog, Charlie. Was Bella looking a bit glum? Maybe. But let’s be honest, I was missing my mom and using my poor pup as an excuse.
After hanging up, I had to pause and question myself, “Why is it so difficult for me to simply just tell my mom that I miss her? Do I have an allergy to expressing emotions or what?”
The Realization
As I took a morning walk today, soaking in the crisp autumn air and contemplating this strange family behavior, I finally stumbled upon an answer — my family and I are just plain weird. We’re like a sitcom where every episode involves a convoluted plot to express feelings.
So, dear reader, I must pose a question to you: does your family perform the same curious dance? Or are we the only ones pirouetting around our emotions?
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