Last month, I gathered with friends and family to celebrate the arrival of my sister, our uncle and their amazing cycling team. This was an emotional ride for many participants, because it marked the final 545+mile AIDS LifeCycle from SF to LA. Some special guests made appearances as well: one of my sister’s best friends came to support, plus her daughter flew in that same day to cheer her on! As always, I had lots of fun watching all of the riders cross the finish line and welcoming everyone to Santa Monica.
The following day, my sister invited me to hang out with her cycling team for their post-ride brunch and an after party at the beach. The people gathered were all folks who spend months training and work closely together to make the marathon happen. I understand my sister has built her own life and has her communities in the Bay Area. When I saw them interacting, I felt the love and appreciation they have for one another. It was nice to be part of something I’ve been able to monetarily contribute to over the years.
The restaurant we gathered at had so many options and delicious offerings. My sister and I enjoyed bottomless Mimosas with the team; they served endless Aperol Spritz and a nice cocktail selection as well. The beauty of getting bottomless mimosas for a group is sharing the same pitcher: it keeps the drinks coming! I had to lie down after 6 or 7 glasses - I lost count, haha! Seeing my sister lying across the couch cracked me up too. While their teammates shared stories at the table, I told them that this was my first time drinking with my sister.
When brunch finally ended and the team dispersed, I told my sister that I wasn’t in any condition to drive. She said, “I’m drunk too! Let’s take a walk and sober up.” We explored the promenade together, looking at all of the cute things along the way and trekking back to their hotel. My sister had a quick costume change and we hit the after party on the beach. We danced in the sand and had a good time shaking it out. I didn’t know many people there, but had fun hanging out.
When we sobered up, I hauled us from Santa Monica all the way to Burbank, just in time to rendezvous with family! We had enough time to share a quick Zankou Chicken dinner before her return flight via Bob Hope airport. As the sun was setting, we ended up browsing the local Wal-Mart before her departure. Our parents offered us a little spending money, since my sister and I celebrate our birthdays in June. She and I found a local Boba Time and enjoyed some desserts for our final activity.
We spent that entire day together and at the end of the night, I received some 1-on-1 time I’ve always wanted to share with her. This day felt different; I wasn’t just hanging out with my sibling, it felt so good to be with my older sister. I no longer felt like I was in the presence of strangers, I had lots of fun being part of my sister’s posse. I didn’t know if I’d have another opportunity to spend that kind of quality time together, but I greatly value us being able to bond closely as adults.
I was once told that cups are a powerful tool, but I didn’t understand it’s purpose. Previously, I was skeptical about using substances as a foundation for bonding with my siblings, but it’s so much more than that. Sitting around the table, telling stories and expressing ourselves freely make those experiences so vivid and meaningful. I realize some of my heartfelt experiences started off by sharing cups with someone else, even if it didn’t involve any liquor.
The older I get, the less foreign bonding with my family feels. I may have feared that something catastrophic might happen if we were all intoxicated, so I avoided it back then. I mean, being inebriated with my family sometimes embarrasses me still, but I realized that we end up laughing about it. We all look out for each other when it does happen. I feel that I trust myself to enjoy our time and I trust my family to guard me if I should stumble into danger.
I’m thankful for our time spent and I hope we can continue making good memories together.
* * * * *
Pour Couple of Raw Tales
Allow for Acute Purpose
Casual Power Troop Fuel
Cups are a Powerful Tool
The following day, my sister invited me to hang out with her cycling team for their post-ride brunch and an after party at the beach. The people gathered were all folks who spend months training and work closely together to make the marathon happen. I understand my sister has built her own life and has her communities in the Bay Area. When I saw them interacting, I felt the love and appreciation they have for one another. It was nice to be part of something I’ve been able to monetarily contribute to over the years.
The restaurant we gathered at had so many options and delicious offerings. My sister and I enjoyed bottomless Mimosas with the team; they served endless Aperol Spritz and a nice cocktail selection as well. The beauty of getting bottomless mimosas for a group is sharing the same pitcher: it keeps the drinks coming! I had to lie down after 6 or 7 glasses - I lost count, haha! Seeing my sister lying across the couch cracked me up too. While their teammates shared stories at the table, I told them that this was my first time drinking with my sister.
When brunch finally ended and the team dispersed, I told my sister that I wasn’t in any condition to drive. She said, “I’m drunk too! Let’s take a walk and sober up.” We explored the promenade together, looking at all of the cute things along the way and trekking back to their hotel. My sister had a quick costume change and we hit the after party on the beach. We danced in the sand and had a good time shaking it out. I didn’t know many people there, but had fun hanging out.
When we sobered up, I hauled us from Santa Monica all the way to Burbank, just in time to rendezvous with family! We had enough time to share a quick Zankou Chicken dinner before her return flight via Bob Hope airport. As the sun was setting, we ended up browsing the local Wal-Mart before her departure. Our parents offered us a little spending money, since my sister and I celebrate our birthdays in June. She and I found a local Boba Time and enjoyed some desserts for our final activity.
We spent that entire day together and at the end of the night, I received some 1-on-1 time I’ve always wanted to share with her. This day felt different; I wasn’t just hanging out with my sibling, it felt so good to be with my older sister. I no longer felt like I was in the presence of strangers, I had lots of fun being part of my sister’s posse. I didn’t know if I’d have another opportunity to spend that kind of quality time together, but I greatly value us being able to bond closely as adults.
I was once told that cups are a powerful tool, but I didn’t understand it’s purpose. Previously, I was skeptical about using substances as a foundation for bonding with my siblings, but it’s so much more than that. Sitting around the table, telling stories and expressing ourselves freely make those experiences so vivid and meaningful. I realize some of my heartfelt experiences started off by sharing cups with someone else, even if it didn’t involve any liquor.
The older I get, the less foreign bonding with my family feels. I may have feared that something catastrophic might happen if we were all intoxicated, so I avoided it back then. I mean, being inebriated with my family sometimes embarrasses me still, but I realized that we end up laughing about it. We all look out for each other when it does happen. I feel that I trust myself to enjoy our time and I trust my family to guard me if I should stumble into danger.
I’m thankful for our time spent and I hope we can continue making good memories together.
* * * * *
Pour Couple of Raw Tales
Allow for Acute Purpose
Casual Power Troop Fuel
Cups are a Powerful Tool
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