As they say family is important and they are. Both my parents have long been gone. so it’s just my sister, brother and me. Sadly, my younger siblings live far, far, far away, okay not so far away.
My brother who lived with us for five years moved to Chicago last year and my sister just moved to St. Petersburg. Even when my sister lived in Virginia, a train ride away, we did not really see each other.
Now I don’t profess to have a lot of money, I don’t and never have. But there are times that I have acted like I am wealthy in to in order to keep my siblings close to me.
For years, my nephew has been begging to come to New York City to see all the sights and hang with his cousin Who wouldn’t right? It’s so close and it’s NEW YORK CITY.
Last year, after years of invitations, my sister and her husband agreed to visit us for Thanksgiving. Well best laid plans as they say.
They ended moving St. Petersburg. UGH!! I was so disappointed that they weren’t going to visit us but happy for their move to warmer climate and better opportunities.
But I know me, visiting St. Petersburg is not on my list of destinations cities over the next few years so I talked my sister into visiting us last summer. I figured that if they could not afford to visit us when they lived a train ride away, traveling from Florida was not going to be in the cards for them.
I really wanted my cousin to visit while he was in middle school and that he could hang out with his cousin while they were younger. That’s what I remember when I was growing up, hanging out with my cousins at my grandmother’s house during the summer. I really wanted them to have some memories of hanging together during the Summer the way I did.
During their stay with us, we definitely hit all the tourist spots like the Empire State Building and The Fearless Girl.
Of course, we did a lot of lunches and dinners including enjoying heading to Little Italy for a delicious Italian dinner at La Mela.
And yes, I paid for most of them those events. Do I regret it, NO! How can I?
Then there is my brother. Next month, my daughter’s godmother is getting married. I was very happy she invited my brother. Remember, he lives in Chicago. Honestly, it’s not like my friends are close to my brother but I think they have a fondness for him hence the invite. So because I have no plans to visit Chicago any time soon and I know my brother would not go out of his way to pay to visit us, I paid for his ticket to the New York to attend the wedding.
I am sure you are asking why I do it? Shouldn’t they pay to visit me. Well, I know full well it’s not they don’t want to visit us but I also know they can’t really afford to visit.
Life is short as they say. And frankly, if I didn’t make these financial concessions, I would never see my siblings. So I would rather take a hit financially than NOT see my siblings.
Do you ever make financial concessions for family? Would love to hear your story.
We live in fla and my family is in PA. For spring break every year we would fly or drive up to visit. I know people say you should not but every year I take some of the income tax and we pack in the car and head somewhere! It helps that I work for a large hotel chain and get rooms super cheap. I love planning the trips and surprising my kids with new sights and new things to do! This year we are headed your way! Hoping to catch the opening of Harry Potter!
I hear you on how to spend your income tax refund. sometimes the family has to come first right!
Very true about life being short. It’s always better to work on relationships if at all possible. You’ll be far richer that way.
I am close with my brother, and if he moved far, it would be difficult for me to visit him often. I can definitely understand you doing what you can to see them. I do take a financial hit for my family sometimes…but in other ways…I will stretch myself out on their birthdays and holidays to make sure that they are special.
I’m very close to all my siblings and all of us except one lives close. One of my older siblings just purchased a Condo and retired to Florida. I thought her leaving was going to really take us all over because we all have been tied at the hip since we all were born. I’m happy for her and her husband and she still visit us a lot so it’s not so bad but, I wish she was still here with the rest of us! We all make sure to go a little out the way on her birthday since she’s gone. 53 of my family members went down just this past Oct to visit her.
53 people oh wow that is something else. I am sure that what was one big party!
I think that having experiences with family and friends is SO important. I love treating the people that I love to special adventures. Making memories is so important. I am, however, a big proponent of a debt free lifestyle. So, as long as I’m not going into debt, I’m all about indulging in the things that I want.
You can’t take money with you when you go, right?! I think it’s lovely that you help family out like that. I did my fair share of assisting, with my family borrowing large sums of money, or me helping with household bills of theirs- when it, really, should have been me receiving the assistance due to income levels. But, after all of that, and not receiving any of the promised payment back, or it being outright denied I assisted (even though I have proof) I’m so done. Sometimes blood doesn’t necessarily make the family, loyalty does and I’m going to support and assist those that fit the bill.
I hope that your siblings enjoy their visits with you and you have a wonderful time together! It sounds like you’re a sister that’s a blessing to have.
Luckily I like my siblings, ha! ha. I do know they appreciate me helping out.
It’s nice that you are doing everything you can to get the family together.Not everyone is like that. Hope you will be blessed with more so you can spend even more time together.
I would definitely rather take a financial hit than never see my family – life is too short and family is ALL we have in this life! I lived the last 2 years without seeing my family, and now that I’m back with them, I’ll never let that craziness happen again! It simply isn’t worth it.
2 years that is long. I think I went 3 years without seeing either sibling.
Family is so important and yes we need to sometimes make concessions so that we can see family and be with them. Every year we travel to Florida to be with my parents. While it’s expensive it’s an opportunity to make amazing memories with my parents and my boys. Kids only get so much time with their grandparents – amazing to see them together.
Loved your adventure and your time with family.
I am like you are, I really dont want to look back with regrets. Family time is precious.
You and I have the same sentiments. The way I see it, I can earn money anytime, but the time lost for not spending it with those precious to me? That’s worth spending on. I’m glad you had the same decision. Sending you all love and hugs!
Time lost boy that is so true. Even now I am trying to figure out how to see my sister down in Florida.
It is worth spending $$ to spend time with family
I’m very close with my family as well, and they live in a different state. I always have to make sure I have money saved, so I can see them. Even if that means I have to make a few sacrifices to save.
I have gotten better at saving for these moments but not really.
We take a financial hit EVERY single summer…for the last 12 years actually! My husband is from Sardinia, Italy and we have been coming every year – funds or not. There’s four of us now so you can imagine how much it costs…and the cost of living to stay here for two months. And no, we are NOT rich!
Wow! that is a sacrifice but family is important.