July: On Family

July 3

Jobs, social status, privilege—all this too can change a person, and it often does. It can lead to an emotionally shallow family dynamic. It can make actions that once were filled with joy and intention become absurdly performative—like ticking off a box on a checklist.

Don’t save genuine feelings or forgiveness for a fancy meal, or trip, or holiday—try to remember the times when you relied on each other. When you loved each other. Before all that other stuff came in and got in the way. If it doesn’t work out—and it might not—that’s okay. That’s life, remember? But at the very least, you can say you tried.

• Reflection title: Remember Where You Came From
• Creative inspiration: Oscar Wilde, A Woman of No Importance
• Reflection Question: Have I lost the thread of family? When was the last time I was genuine and true with my family?