WHILE I mostly stayed with my sister in California since I moved to L.A. in mid-June, I visited three friends, and their families, in the last three weeks.
In fact, I spent the Fourth of July at my friend’s in Long Beach.
I like the idea that people are fighting for my time and attention.
***
Everyone wants a little piece of me.
I get that.
That’s why I also give time to my Facebook, and social media accounts.
***
I’ve checked Grindr several times.
I mean, I’ve looked who was horny nearby.
I checked in Chatsworth, in Long Beach, in downtown L.A., even in Fontana.
I’m still pretty desirable as far as being a hookup is concerned.
But I’m not really playing right now.
***
After my first week at my sister’s, my oldest niece asked me until when I would be staying.
It was a short question that came out of nowhere so I was a little offended.
Thus, I explained that I wasn’t sure how long I was staying with them because I planned to have their home as my base or headquarters, but I would be spending time with friends all over California.
***
It turned out, she wanted me to stay a little longer.
Because I am able to open the communication lines within her family.
For example: My sister insists that my niece attends Sunday masses.
My niece is in her atheistic phase.
But I think she’s just being rebellious.
***
Anyway, one Sunday, I told my sister that my niece and I would just like to stay at home while the rest of the family goes to mass.
I told my sister that I’ve already read the scripture readings for the Sunday, with the Gospel narrating about Jesus calming the storm, and telling his disciples, “You, men of little faith!”
***
In lieu of the mass, my niece and I talked about career choices, premarital sex, depression, recreational marijuana, boyfriends, financial responsibility, Christianity, and 3- and 5-year development plans.
We talked about individual happiness, and societal and familial responsibilities.
We talked about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
***
These days, that is my coda: Our individual appropriation of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
I advice parents to cut their children some slack.
In fact, I suggested to my sister to let go of her daughters, who, at 19 and 21, are showing their own independence.
***
I’m telling my nieces to stand their ground.
But also to be sure that they are financially independent if they want to keep their choices.
I’m telling my 21 year old niece that if she wants a brand new car, she should have a job that could pay for the car, her studies, and her addiction to take-out food.
I’m telling my 19 year old niece that if she wants to pursue a college degree other than Nursing, she should convince her mom that she’s willing to sacrifice for her passion.
***
Here’s the thing: My sister is a nurse, and she earns the big bucks.
She just wants her children to take up a course that would have a secure job placement.
Because let’s face it, Nursing is still a job that is portable, in-demand, and stressful but pretty much well compensated.
***
I mean, where’s the sweetness in being a $15-an-hour waitress when you can get paid $50 an hour as a nurse?
Considering her job experience, I’m pretty sure my sister is getting, at the very least, $75 an hour.
I mean, if she’s not getting a stimulus check from the US government, it can only mean she’s got a big income.
***
My sister’s religious position is rather fixed.
If you can’t spend an hour with the family going to church, get out of my house!
But I’m pretty sure I can change that before my ministry with her family is over.
I got to tell her that dragging her daughter to church is really counter-productive.
That people should discover God on their own terms.
***
But, to show my niece that I am a greater person, I dress up on certain Sundays and join them in mass attendance.
I sing and pray and reflect during the mass.
I am there.
And God is real in my life.
I still don’t do the communion at this time; but it’s really because of Covid-19 and the priest’s hand touching the host, more than anything.
***
Anyway, I foresee a sit-down meeting coming—
My niece explaining why she doesn’t want to attend church, and what she can do instead to assure her mom that she’s not a very lost soul;
And my sister expressing her love for her daughter although they have different, and probably oppositional, religious views./PN
