You know what your priorities are when...

[gabriel_le]

I have a family reunion in Saskatchewan this summer on the July 1st weekend

Comments

[concordantnexus]

I would venture so far as to say that you might not be as comfortable in your new life yet to be an effective ambassador in such an outnumbered, close-knit (presumably) environment. Besides, it would mean that you'd miss Canada Day weekend at dagibbs's cottage and all the cuddling and gaming that that entails. ;)

[gabriel_le]

So sorry hun,

the choices were to walk the trail or go to the family reunion. I had told dagibbs awhile ago that I couldn't make his cottage weekend.

Sorry to miss you though

[dagibbs]

Yeah, I knew ages ago she'd miss the cottage party. :(

[horsetraveller]

Your trip can always start a bit later, but you wouldn't have another opportunity to attend this kind of family reunion.

I always say go for the once in a lifetime type events.

[gabriel_le]

I suspected that I would regret not going.

The real question actually comes down to claiming my family or not. If I go, that is a loud statement to me that I would like to be a part of that group. If I don't go, I am cutting off the last ties I have to them.

[horsetraveller]

I don't understand why you would want to cut off ties to your entire extended family. A few individuals, whose behaviour has merited it, I understand.

Blood is a strong bond. If you break off your relationship with your blood relatives, how durable will your relationships with your chosen family be?

[gabriel_le]

I didn't understand why blood should have any value. Why should I feel connected with people who have a different value system than I do, and who I haven't seen in more than 10 years?

But I am realising, slowly, that I can't just cut off family as I would a friend...I couldn't "drift" away from my Dad, and didn't want to...

...and I am feeling the same way with the rest of my family. I have pretty much decided that I want to go.

[horsetraveller]

PS Money exists to be spent.
Not to be hoarded.

[gabriel_le]

I *am* learning that...slowly

[dagibbs]

Look into cheaper ways of going. Train, you said you had a coupon? Of course, train is a trade-off of time for the money, since it will consume more time than flying. It may, though, be time well spent for you. Settling time.

[horsetraveller]

You have lots of time. You're on sabbatical. Nothing better for meditation and pondering the meaning of life than a train ride halfway across the country.

I wish I could go.

[dagibbs]

But, but, that might mean she hits the AT even later! And... and... she wanted to leave yesterday, I mean last week, I mean back in March. :)

[gabriel_le]

thanks for your support hun...I appreciate how you get me to take a step back, breathe, and get things in perspective again.