Years ago, I moved way far from where I originally grew up. It seems like my relatives act like I don't exist. I try to understand that I must seem less important in their lives when I am thousands of miles away and not there to attend lots of functions. (birthday parties, holiday dinners, etc.)

I tended to go back to visit about once every 18 months, but have not visited in over 2 and 1/2 years. Health and finances have prevented that. I would appreciate to get phone calls from my sisters once in a while, but I've just about given up. I actually get nice letters, now and then, from more distant family members - cousins, etc. I feel really hurt by my sisters, but wonder if I'm expecting too much. When I've gone back over the past 10 years, or so, I've found that cousins make more of an effort to get together with me than these 2 sisters do. Growing up, we were real close. That's gone now. I'm feeling rejected when the only time we talk is if I call them. I don't want to bother them, if they'ld rather not be bothered.

I wonder if others have found that geographic separation withers away affection.