As we enter chapter 13, “LADY WEDGWOOD, 2000–2002,” Meredith Talusan discovers a predicament that occurred by not having gone back home in 10 whole years. When she returned to the Philippines, she was greeted by bittersweet tears from her family, especially from her grandmother. Although this was a fond memory to take note of, Talusan realizes how long she hasn’t kept in touch properly with her family, and what effect it could have on their relationship. “It was Nanay Coro’s voice I picked out among the relatives who called my name, and my grandmother greeted me with a gush of tears, lamenting that I had not seen my grandfather before he died. As we hugged, I wished I’d kept in better touch, but I was too busy earning the life she wanted for me, too focused on notches of achievement instead of sentimental letters or expensive calls.” (Talusan, 2020). After being told of the news of her grandfather’s passing, Talusan could see how distant she was, but as it goes without saying, nothing comes without risks. I’ve had quite a few distant relatives of my own, and as tenacious as they were, they all ended up severing ties with me and other relatives of mine. Obviously, this doesn’t compare with Talusan, but with the right mindset, this type of action can have positive effects that outweigh the negative in life, even if it means not keeping in touch with one’s own family for a while, I’ve definitely been there myself.
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