Here Fishy, fishy, fishy

So, we spent almost all of Memorial Day on the lake – – give or take a few hours that we had to go over to my brother’s house for a family BBQ.

I’ve rediscovered my love for fishing! Odd, ain’t it? I spent my childhood days fishing the Mississippi with my Grandpa – – as well as on Timber Lake in Iowa with him, too. He’s the one who really taught me how to fish – – well, him and my dad. I forgot how much I loved it.

Yesterday I hauled in my first large-mouth bass, ever. He was a 2-pounder and definitely a keeper – -but I threw him back. I wasn’t ready for the fish-comittment, yet. Ya know what I mean? Ya keep it – ya clean it. So, we stopped at the store today and picked up a nice filet knife and fish scaler. Next time that bass will be 3lbs and he’s mine – – I have my name on that one!

The family BBQ were as fun as family BBQ’s ever are. My brother and his wife and I are getting along much better these days (after somewhat of a fiasco in 2001 that isn’t worth mentioning, but caused much tension within the family). It’s nice to get together with them now. Sometimes family fiascos are a good thing – – they are cathartic and clear the air a great deal – – and mostly, the people involved end up respecting each other more than when they did before the fiasco began.

I wish I could say the same for my sister, though. Speaking of fish – she’s a cold one. Frigid would be more the word, I guess. I don’t know what the problem is, really. Back in the day – we used to get along quite well. When she lived in Spain, and I was still in high school – we were pen pals. When she moved to Mexico – I went ot stay with her for 3 weeks right before I graduated from high school. I have some fond memories, but the years seem to have driven a wedge and built a wall.

I’m probably the most easy-going person on earth. She is the exact polar opposite. I’ve tried to be nice and cordial. I’ve tried to be sociable and kind. And I get this stare from her that just is blank, cold and empty. When I do happen to get a few words out of her – – they are impatient and short.

It’s like this at every single family function.

This Memorial Day BBQ, however – – it was more painfully obvious than it ever has been before, though. My Mom and Dad, my brother and his wife, all the kids (7 of them) and Chris and I were all outside sitting on the deck, talking, telling stories – enjoying the company. My sister and her husband? They stayed in side the house all day long. Hardly came out and said anything to anyone.

So, Chris and I decided to go in. See if we could strike up some conversation.

My brother’s wife came in with us.

So there we were. Me, Chris, my brother’s wife and my sister, and her husband. Once we got settled in the kitchen and sat down, my sister and her husband promptly got up and went outside. When we went back outside – – they got up and went back inside.

I could have played that game with them all day just to see how many times I could make them get up and go somewhere else.

I swear I showered that day!

Ah well.

Chris says not to worry myself about it. There are some things that a person just can’t change, I guess. I talked to my Dad about it today, too – – and he said the same thing. He reminded me that she is just . . . odd. That she’s cold. Short. Impatient. And I know all of those things – and yet it still bugs me to no end, even though there is nothing that I can do about it except write it off as just ‘one of those things’

It’s sad, really. Years from now, when my folks are no longer around – – I don’t see a reason for me to keep contact with my sister. And that’s hard for me to take, on some level – because family is important to me.

There’s only so many years that I’m willing to beat my head against a wall before I just stop caring, altogether.

Maybe that’s what she’s waiting for? The day that I finally stop caring?