We went down to my grandparent’s house tonight to help them move some furniture out of one of their bedrooms, so my grandfather could put down some new wood flooring where they’ve had carpet for years.
Afterwards, we’re all sitting around talking, just like we always do, and we eventually make our way onto a hot topic about something that’s been going on with my Aunt and Uncle (the ones who take me on vacations).
My uncle is telling everyone what’s going on, and an argument ensues (also, as per normal).
I’m sitting on the couch with my aunt on my left and another relative on my right. After about 15 minutes, my aunt leans over and whispers “What do you suggest we do?”
Now, in this instance, my answer was a blunt “Oh, I’m not getting in the middle of this…”, but in any case, it got me to thinking…
My autn is really the only one in the family that I really and truly get along with. She’s the only one that I can go on vacation with and two weeks later get off a plane and be ready to go out to dinner with after days of travelling.
And she always has a way of making me feel welcome in these kinds of conversations.
You see, the rest of my family is somewhat loud and outspoken. As a result, I’ve grown up a quiet and somber personality. I enjoy being involved in such discussions, but I rarely get involved. Instead, I’ll just sit there and quietly listen, all the while keeping my opinions to myself (regardless of their stance).
But every time this happens, this same aunt will pull me into the conversation, one way or another. If she has to simply ask and get me talking, just to draw the conversation towards me, that’s fine. If she has to fully stop the conversation and declare “We haven’t heard what Christopher thinks yet!”, then that’s what it takes. If she has to announce that to solve it, we’re all going to start taking shots, that’s cool. But one way or another, she’s going to get me in the conversation and stop letting me listen in silence.
Now, I did suggest that we all go have some drinks somewhere and forget about our problems for a while… But that was quickly shot-down for the annoying reason that South Carolina doesn’t allow liquor sales on Sunday.
I just thought it was interesting that the theory I’d been thinking about for quite some time was so obviously confirmed just tonight. She’s always interested in what I have to say, while everyone else simply ignores me entirely, frequently even when I try to jump into a conversation. And that just makes me feel nice, and appreciated, and cared about… It’s a (sadly) all too infrequent feeling these days, when everyone’s only concerned with themselves.