Wednesday, December 21, 2011

the good, the bad and the ugly

My kids love America. Of course they do. They get thoroughly spoiled every time they go there, no matter the season. If it's not snowmen and sledding, it's Sea-Doo's and sandcastles. If it's not Christmas trees and cut-out cookies, it's Captain Sundae and Craig's Cruisers.

I love America, too. And I admit, most of the things I miss about America are related to pleasure. But today I realized that's not all that I miss.

Yes, I miss the good and the fun and the happy and the convenient. But I also wish I could be there when things are not so pretty.

I wish I could be there when my sister suffers yet another loss and has the delicate film that was just beginning to form over so recent a wound torn open.

I wish I could be there when she has to buy the groceries for the first Christmas Eve fondue without Mom.

I wish I could have celebrated my cousin's graduation from college with her, or do something to help her estranged bipolar mother who has been subpoenaed to court for disturbing the peace.

I wish I could visit my grandma in person instead of hearing written reports from my uncle about her well-being, or lack thereof.

Sure, I enjoy the glamor of America. But I actually long to be there for the crap.

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