[airehead]

<p>How is it (and I know it's been discussed ad nauseum) that I can have a better connection with people I have met throughout the years on the internet or at any of the bases we've lived than I do with any of my siblings?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I find it hard to trust others, but I don't have even a basic level of trust with my siblings.  Weird, huh?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am more comfortable with my sis in law who just married into the family about 8 years ago.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>One of the people I care most about is on this board and will often send me PMs of encouragement--which is something my siblings have never done, although I do it for them via snail mail.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Weird.</p>

 

[4boysmom]

<p>Trust me, I get it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I set up a Facebook account.  Within minutes, my mother and sister did a friends request.  Uh, no thanks.  I needed a FB account for a retreat I was attending so I set one up using another name.  Hey, this is great!  I can connect with people I really care about.  Somehow my sister found my alter ego and did a friends request.  "Gosh, we need to be friends so we can keep up with each other's lives!!!"  Uh, let's see, you've had my address, phone number and email for years yet haven't tried to contact me.  Thanks but no thanks.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>On the flip side, I have several close friends that I met on a Christian homeschooling forum.  One hosts a retreat for a week in August.  Last winter several of us got together for a concert--I drove to friend A's house and picked her up, friend A drove to friend B's house and picked her up, and friend B drove the rest of the way where we met friend C.  Just last week, friends A and B were in town and we went out for dinner.  This is something I would NEVER do with my family.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And of course, let's not forget all the people I've met here.  There was the big get together to run in VooDoo's memory.  I've also seen other at races.  Nothing like going to a race by myself, then hearing "Hey 4boysmom!!!"  Kid you not.  Yosake didn't know my name, so called out my screen name.  I've also cheered on "people I didn't know" at races.  You can ask Scooby about IMKY....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I certainly do feel more of a community with my imaginary friends than I do with family.</p>

 

[airehead]

<p>When my mom and dad are no more I can't really see keeping up contact with my siblings.  Weird.<br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>4boysmom</strong> <a href="/t/75858/what-i-dont-get#post_2021799"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br><p>Trust me, I get it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I set up a Facebook account.  Within minutes, my mother and sister did a friends request.  Uh, no thanks.  I needed a FB account for a retreat I was attending so I set one up using another name.  Hey, this is great!  I can connect with people I really care about.  Somehow my sister found my alter ego and did a friends request.  "Gosh, we need to be friends so we can keep up with each other's lives!!!"  Uh, let's see, you've had my address, phone number and email for years yet haven't tried to contact me.  Thanks but no thanks.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>On the flip side, I have several close friends that I met on a Christian homeschooling forum.  One hosts a retreat for a week in August.  Last winter several of us got together for a concert--I drove to friend A's house and picked her up, friend A drove to friend B's house and picked her up, and friend B drove the rest of the way where we met friend C.  Just last week, friends A and B were in town and we went out for dinner.  This is something I would NEVER do with my family.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And of course, let's not forget all the people I've met here.  There was the big get together to run in VooDoo's memory.  I've also seen other at races.  Nothing like going to a race by myself, then hearing "Hey 4boysmom!!!"  Kid you not.  Yosake didn't know my name, so called out my screen name.  I've also cheered on "people I didn't know" at races.  You can ask Scooby about IMKY....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I certainly do feel more of a community with my imaginary friends than I do with family.</p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br><p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[4boysmom]

<p>Same here.  Actually, I don't really stay in contact with my parents either.  My dad is forever on my case that I should be calling her every week.  Why would I want to?  She doesn't care what I'm up to.  I did a Turkey Trot.  It wasn't a big deal, but I did win my AG.  Back at Grandma's I was showing family my medal.  Everyone else thought it was neat.  My mother?  "Did you know your sister is going to do a real triathlon?  She's doing an Ironman!"  Not to discount what my sister plans to do, but good golly mom, how 'bout a "nicely done" for my race?</p>

 

[wherestheportojohn]

aire and fourboysmom.<br>
I hope you aren't feeling guilty about this.<br>
You're not alone....don't feel weirded out by it at all.<br><br>
Just a couple of examples:<br><br>
My mother and father were never close to their respective sisters. We actually heard them term their sisters as greedy self-centered bitches.<br>
Visits and holidays were stressful.<br>
After their respective parents died, the siblings lost track...heck, we never even went to their funerals. (however, we are very close with one of our aunt's kids.)<br><br><br><br>
A close friend of mine has cut off all connections with her mother and brother. Doesn't care that they aren't in contact...she has loving friends and her own children who keep her very happy.<br><br><br>

 

[merigayle]

<p>I have not spoken to my parents in 8 years and my one aunt in 8 years. meh life is better for it. I still talk to the rest of the family.</p>