Was chatting with a good friend yesterday and this came up. We both admitted that our siblings or parents don't really know us. Or at least know much about us. My Ma is adamant I eat mushrooms...I haven't had one in over 20 years.... ah he likes Man Utd or Liverpool, loves Irish music and the GAA - but couldn't tell anyone what you work at, what your dreams and aspirations are what gets you out of bed in the morning, who you look up to, how you feel about politics, religion, the world, where you fit in....
As we talked about this some more we wondered if this was an Irish thing? The inability to go beyond the surface and have meaningful conversations? Or is it just something you experience more when you leave Ireland?
Interested in your take on it....
My mum's take - Liked cycling & gaa, got too skinny over the last couple of years, lovely family.
We're a pretty close family and I'd say there would be very little in my life my parents or siblings don't know about. Perhaps its a function of living so far apart, perhaps its just how we are built as a unit, or perhaps its down to the life events we have gone through over the last 15 years. They know the good, and the bad.
I call my folks on the phone most days to check in and catch up for 5-10 minutes.
Now, my ma can't remember my name for love nor money - but that's par for the course on her side of the family.
Anthony, Daniel, James, Neil, Patrick, Sean
these are the things you think about living away from home...but I pondered this too when I was about the place too...
If they had to give a eulogy would it be accurate.... I'd love to chat about these things with the family but they're not much for chatting - unless it's about other people - then we'll have a field day....
Quote from: Minus15 on April 04, 2017, 10:16:17 PM
I would say my relationship with my parents has definitely suffered since I got married and moved away a few years ago. In that I don't hear as much as what goes on etc and maybe miss them being closer. As a family we are generally poor at keeping in touch outside of family gatherings and I don't have a very close relationship with my siblings. I would find myself closer to the wife's family at times who are very close knit and local to me.
It bothers me and know my parents won't be around forever and worry about having regrets later in life. Life can be busy but if you can't make more time for your family and aunts / uncles who were a big part of your life is that a sign that something needs to change or is it just life? Would like to hear some other people's experiences / thoughts.
I think when you are child that uncles/aunts/cousins all seem to be such a huge part of your life, and the world is so much smaller when you are younger so these relationships are so much bigger and you can't imagine not seeing them all the time.
I do take time out to stay in touch, I always try to text friends and family in different parts of the world once a month. Otherwise I'd be over here with Team Trump all on my todd!