I’m Mark. I’m Morgan’s “baby brother.” My 3 siblings still like to call me that- despite being a 32 year old father of a 4 year old. I don’t mind. It makes me chuckle.
I live in Austin, TX with my aforementioned son, Jack. We have a wonderful life here in Central Texas. There is rarely a time when I wish I lived anywhere else. Austin is the kind of place people come to visit and then never leave. I came here in 2000. So it has been almost 10 years now living outside the arm’s length reach of my family of origin. I would be dishonest to imply that this arrangement has been unintentional. But that does not mean that I am 1000 miles away from my family for any reasons of conflict or hard feelings. In basic terms, Phoenix is where this ”baby brother” accumulated sufficient years to enter adulthood. Austin is where I matured into a man. I’m very proud of my life in Austin.
I felt compelled to explain all of that because, for the first time in 10 years, I am feeling some guilt about my distance from the family.
It’s cliche, but in times like these one is reminded to evaluate what is important. Family is important. Morgan knows this. He has always known this. Better yet, he teaches this. In his actions. In what he says. In what he DOESN’T say.
This past week was time well spent for me. I had some very quality interactions with some of the most important people in the world. Thanks, Morgan. You are an enduring catalyst and hub for communities HUGE (web) and small (Strüb).
Filed under Family & Friends
Post a comment/ reply below, or follow discussion on our comment feed (RSS 2.0).
I was a great week, makes me sad and a bit teary that it’s already over. The weeks memories will be serve as sweet reminders of who and what we are in hard days ahead.
Family is important I have always felt it and known it, but it’s a deeper level now and even more appreciated.
Well said, Mark. Glad to see you redefine your place within the family over the years so that it works for you. The most important factor, I think, in deciding whether to change it up again is knowing what’s best for your inner family– you and Jack. The outer family (us Strubs) can adapt, and we all get to know each other better in the process of doing so!