She’s my second cousin, Grief. I see her periodically. I don’t go out of my way to visit her. She comes on her own to be with me for a while. I treat her gently in the hope that she’s satisfied enough to return home and not visit again for a long, long time.

I have another cousin, Hope, but she seems to live so far away. We try sometimes to meet half way but it just doesn’t seem to work out. Something always comes up and the meeting is postponed to another unknown day. It’s too bad that she doesn’t live closer. She’s probably my favorite relative.

My brothers are Pete and Repeat. They are always around me. They’re twins and their routine is pretty much what you would expect, the same old, same old. It’s no wonder that their best friend is Boredom.

My neighbor is a hoot, she’s Nagging. She always seems to find something to complain about. Weather is too hot; no, today it’s too cold. “This person is this way and I wish she were different,” she tells me. Nagging never seems content. I’m glad there’s a fence between us so at least I don’t have her everyday.

Supper is not always enjoyable for me. Envy, Cynicism and Hubris tend to show up. But I like the idea that they are where I can keep an eye on them, as the psalm says, “you set a table before me in the sight of my foes.” It’s good to know that their right across from me.

My uncle is crazy. His name is, well, Crazy. He’s great at parties, gets everybody laughing but I don’t think I’d like to live with him. It’s fun to be with him for a while but happily he returns to where ever it is he lives.

Jealousy lives upstairs from me. I had to rent it out to make ends meet but I wish I could find someone else to live up there. In the meantime, I have to cope with Jealousy’s perpetual noise. It’s constant. Always having to make grand announcements and always having to say it twice when I heard him the first time. Nighttime is the only time I find that it’s quiet upstairs. He must work second shift.

My youngest sister is Joy. I’ve tried to describe her to people but I can’t seem to find the words. I tell them that they would have to meet her themselves, then they would know what she’s like. Unending energy and a personality that is so warm and inviting. I thought it’s too bad that we’re related, I think she’d make a wonderful wife.

My cat is named Gratitude. What better name for a pet whose love is unconditional and who year daily attention to survive? I cannot leave Gratitude alone for too long before she makes those cat sounds that rip your heart a part. To ignore her would be her death.

Well those are some of the people in my life. When you think about it, they may not be that different from people you’re related to, as well.

I guess we all have relatives we are proud of and some we would just as soon not invite over. The mix of them all in my life is, I guess, what makes my life. For better or worse, what can I say?  It’s family.