Five years ago, I set my alarm for 3 and instead of getting it right for 3AM, I set it for 3PM. This huge error caused me to not show up at my sister’s and I failed to take my sister and brother-in-law to the airport to begin their journey to pick up The Niece. I have kicked myself over and again. I was distraught, actually. I am one of those people you can count on. I’m always there–except for this one time. I was also seriously pissed at how my parents handled the whole thing. While there was joy and excitement because the first grandchild! was coming, there was also one of their kids who has NEVER failed to show up on time missing at 3AM. Car into ditch or other calamity—the message was who gives a shit.
My sister and I talked on Sunday about their upcoming trip to pick up Niece #2 (I still need to come up with a moniker for her) and I joked about being on time this time. She laughed it off and we talked about possibilities for this trip.
Yesterday I was talking to my mother and she mentioned that this time around I’ll have to take my sister to the airport. This, my friends, is what family is for–continuing to kick you in the teeth.