Embrace the Dysfunction

There are two kinds of family drama, for want of better terminology I will call them external family drama and internal family drama. External family drama plays itself out in all its glory with spectacular displays of high emotion, and usually ends with someone running off or slammed doors.

Internal family drama plays itself when there are several major issues sitting invisibly to outsiders dead center on the table or living room floor. The drama results from each family member fixation on completely ignoring said unresolved issues and concentrating on not even hinting that they exist for the “good” of the family.

In my family, we have plenty of both. I will be honest and admit that I have wished, prayed, and hoped for and internal drama to go external just to relieve the pressure. On more than one occasion, I have considered poking it with a stick to get things started. Then again, I know the family code.

So I sit and I knit. While people may laugh about it when I do it at Hubby’s family reunion, they probably never thought that I knit at all family gatherings for pretty much the same reasons.

I knit to have something to occupy me and keep me from saying something completely funny but totally inappropriate after a display of external drama.

I knit to have something to focus on besides that giant spot of quicksand in the middle of the floor.

I knit so that I can embrace the dysfunction without having it get me in one of those awkward hugs from a guy you like but have no chemistry with and don’t want to break his heart, but don’t want him tongue kissing you either because you didn’t extract yourself quickly enough.