While the disintegration of my uncle’s relationship with my grandparents was obvious to my sister and I (he was no longer spoken about it in our family and we did not see him at any family functions), my parents hid much of why from us – it wasn’t until my late teens I understood more about it.
None of us were sure whether this was a good match though, especially as, not long after he and Claire got together, my uncle’s relationship with my family became tumultuous.
While I get sad thinking about the relationship I could have had with my uncle and how he’s missed not only the happy occasions like watching me graduate university and travelling the world but also not being there for the hard times like when my maternal grandmother died – it’s not me that I’m saddest for.
On Christmas Day 2017, after a morning spent opening presents, drinking prosecco and listening to The Pogues, my grandparents came round to enjoy lunch with my mum, dad, sister and me.
In terms of immediate family, I have quite a small one – my dad’s brother is my only uncle as my mum is an only child.
