Folk law

I feel guilty. I didn’t spend Chrimbo with the family ‘cos I was sunning myself in Morocco and now, it seems, I don’t have a free weekend to visit them until March. Eek. Bad daughter.

My family lives almost two hours away in Shropshire and both my nans are unwell at the mo(terrible advertisments for old age, the pair of them) so I must get back to the shire to visit them sooner than the Easter bunny.

But what baffles me is the unwritten rule – shall we call it folk law? – that when you fly the nest you have to return to visit your parents ‘cos they’re unlikely to visit you. Dunno why that is but it’s true, just ask around. And it’s worse if you live close to them, so I believe.

I love my parents to bits and have no qualms in seeing them but neither ma and pa (who divorced yonks ago) live in a house which I previously inhabited so it doesn’t really feel like going “home” if you know what I mean. Staying in a spare room isn’t as homely and mum’s shower is just a trickle in comparison to mine. And I’m not allowed to wrap the duvet around me and watch TV downstairs anymore. I’m 28 and still get nervous every time I try it. Oh, and then there are the crumbs; I must remember to use a plate. God, I sound like I’m reviewing a hotel don’t I!

So, a high priority for this New Year is to visit the shire, ma, pa and my two crumbling nans. And my brother, half brother and half sister. And their two dogs.

What happens if I don’t? I might get written out of the family will. And I’d probably miss them lots too.