Endings

One of my previous posts motioned conclusions of long running series. I only just realised what a strong metaphor for life that was… One of my relatives passed away on Friday.

He was the brother of my brother in-law. I am not sure how to react. I know my Brother in-law would be in a lot of pain, as I would be in his situation, but I don’t know how to express my condolences to him. I last saw them together at my nieces engagement party – it was the first time I had seen them together for some years. I even commented how much alike they were becoming in looks.

My imediate family is very remote from its cultural root. The kind of rules and protocols for dealing with this sort of thing are absent or, at least, very confused – My mother and father were from very different backgrounds (countries actually) and cultures. The same goes for my grand mother on mums side. In her case she even denied her cultural origins to the point my mother though her Mum was Greek. Things are a bit less confused on Dads side but even so his parents were from different sides of the Irish sea.

So in my cultural vacuum I called my brother in-law not knowing what to say or offer. Luckily no one answered and I was able to leave a brief message to him on his answering machine. I know this is cowardly and I will call him again soon.

Do not forget the face of your Father.