engaged

So, Thanksgiving is this week. Family interaction always gets me stressed and anxious, but has always interested me in a sociological way. I love shows of dysfunctional families, because most people can relate to that. (Arrested Development). I’d love to film families in a verite style, it’s just an interesting topic for me… roles. Phrases like “only child syndrome” and “oh I was the oldest/youngest/middle child”… Everyone’s family is so remarkably different, with varying degrees of honesty, emotional intimacy, understanding, trust… and deviancy from the social norm of the nuclear family. And within this crazy network are completely different individuals who act as a “pack” a few times a year (weddings, funerals, holidays, reunions) because that’s what families do. I’m lucky to have a group of people that I’m stuck with forever, for better or worse. It seems holidays are a great excuse to bring people together, but I’ve always been a fan of “seize the day”, so I see an element of fakeness to it all. Why wait for a holiday to remind your family of your existence? Or to call home and check in? I guess it’s possible that I’m frustrated at the decline of family values I’ve seen since I’ve “grown up”. I come from a very large, traditional Catholic setup, where I had a role to fill as a dutiful daughter, sister, and dependent. Now that I’m through being raised, it’s as if my family dissipated. My parents role of ‘caretaker’ has ended. What’s my role now? Whatever I want it to be? Awkward young adult? One of the first in the clan. Does that mean I’m assumed to start a family soon? Much like the past few years, I’m going to feel very young sitting at the adult table this Thanksgiving.