Some of you know that my ancient past includes taking a taxi home from a hospital stay (tonsillectomy at 13) because...well...someone couldn't be bothered to pick me up at whatever time it was in the morning that I was discharged (sometimes I get into a taxi now, all these years later, and have flashbacks of being scared that if something happened to me on the way home, I wouldn't be able to yell for help. And of having the creepy driver follow me into our empty apartment and watch me break open my piggybank to pay him the cabfare from Berkeley to Alameda).

There's a reason I do things like pick up K-bug from SFO when her flight's been delayed until the wee hours; because the only way to stop childhood crap is to actively choose the opposite when it's your turn to be a caring adult. So it makes me really sad that Sumi's family didn't or couldn't make the effort since she deserves the effort. I'm sorry, Sumi.

(I have to laugh when I remember Claudia's response at my hoping to have my piggybank $ restored: "wasn't my ass in that cab!" You have to admit, that bitch was funny.)

I would like to time travel and dole out both hugs and ass whoopings.

the only way to stop childhood crap is to actively choose the opposite when it's your turn to be a caring adult

You are a truly good person, javachik. IJS.

Also, what msbelle said. Seriously.

Awww, I had plenty of people in my life at that time who reached out and offered hugs. I had and have so many people who cared and loved. Like the way I see so many of you reaching out to kids and teens ALL THE TIME and I want to yell from the rooftops in support because it's people like Sara and Liese and Allyson and Andi and cashmere and Erin and the list goes on and on! Everytime you reach out to the kids around you, you're helping someone stand up. And the amazing parents I see here? On a daily basis? I'm filled with gratitude that you take your role as parent to heart, and that you love your kids and are present and engaged. It gives me so much hope I can't tell you.

By the way, I'm sober. ;)

Mom says he's always talking about stuff he wishes he had time to do on my house. That's just so my dad showing his love.

So sweet.

Hell, my SIL has said that if she ever divorces my brother (when he's REALLY pissed her off,) she's keeping us

We totally kept my ex-aunt-in-law in the divorce. We liked her better. We kept her.

We totally kept my ex-aunt-in-law in the divorce. We liked her better. We kept her.

Yep! It's how I got my Aunt Sharon!

It's a valid lifestyle choice.

My brother would be willing to pick me up, but he'd probably be a couple of hours late. Time management is not his thing, but he's a pretty good guy otherwise.

It seems my extended family has some excitement/drama going on. My cousin's 19 yr old daughter announced last week that she's getting married on New Year's Day instead of the planned date in late summer. No one is making a major drama about it, but there is some irritation with the lack of notice. Her brother and her uncle won't be able to get off work to attend. I'm just amused by the reason she's giving. She says it's because of how much money they'll save on rent.

Has anyone pointed out to her that she could start saving money on the rent right away and still get married on the original schedule? Most married people I know started saving money on the rent well before the wedding, in some cases decades before.