Satisfaction

I couldn't sleep last night. I was anxious. I knew why. This morning, I woke up and called my family.

"Hello? Hello?"

"Grandpa? It's me. Karen."

"Oh! Karen! How are you? You doing OK? You alright? Are you happy?"

"Yes, yes, I'm fine. How are you?"

"I'm good. Are you happy?"

"Yes."

"OK. Right on."

In the background, the dog is barking.

"Hold on," Grandpa says. There is some fumbling noises, then a brief silence, then my grandma is on the phone.

She sounds like she's on the edge of a breakdown. The dog is too big, it's driving her crazy. The dog is too much. She wants someone else to take the dog.

But my mom tells me that Grandma is attached. She taught the dog to put its snout against her cheek when she says, "Kiss, kiss."

My cousin Kay graduates tonight. I can't believe it. I wish I was there to hug her.

Things are not perfect with my family, but oh how I miss them all.