The bottom line is I can’t (nor do I want) to travel 10+ hours for a short weekend multiple times per year for family events. It’s financially costly (our vehicle gets 15 miles to the gallon) and it’s exhausting. It’s hard enough making time for everything going on here in town.

I finally put my feelings into words in the form of an email after a guilt-ridden phone call with my step mother had me feeling frustrated. I tried to be kind but gently tell her that her expectations of me are unrealistic. Her and her family get together often but it’s not as easy for me to make it and I need her to understand and accept that.

Not really sure the point of this post; I just needed to get it off my chest. I’ve felt guilty all day. I love my mom and my family but I’m tired of being made to feel guilty when I’m not at family functions.