Friends

We've had fabulous, warm Spring sunshine here
in the Midlands, and all the leaves on the
trees are coming out. I'm feeling great.

We've had more family gatherings today - all
on Mrs C's side of the family, plus our girls
and their partners. My side of the family are
somewhat distant - we meet up two to three
times a year - I've got an older brother
living in Bingley, a sister in Strasbourg and
another sister in Forest Fields in Nottingham
(about 20 minutes walk away). I rarely see my
brother's children.
Going back a generation, my father was the
eldest of 5 children, but he only kept in touch
with his sister and her kids (based in York).
I'm in contact with one of my cousins, as he's
the main family historian, but I hardly know
any of my other cousins.
Mrs C's family is more close-knit, which has
always impressed me - helped a lot by Mrs C's
mum who lives near us and who is very sociable.
My side of the family were fairly inept as
regards social skills, as I am to some extent.
I find it difficult to approach strangers at a
party and to get a conversation going, but I
do enjoy going out to meet people I get to know.
My friends are much better company than any
member of my family of origin - much more
friendly, and more interested in me as a person
(as I am with them).
I think one of the main turning points in my
life ....(in my early forties, when I was going
through a mid-life crisis)... was when I went
along to Transactional Analysis classes in
Nottingham and Derby, which gave me huge
insights into how people interact and behave.
There I met a great crowd of people who were
able to talk freely about their problems with
other people. Later on I read several of
Dorothy Rowe's books on depression, anxiety
and ageing - if you're interested in finding
out more about yourself and how other people
tick, I recommend you read her books.