Echoes of the Garage

Fragments of life in Los Angeles — art, film, street stories, and the quiet rebuilding of a man. Start here: Best Of • About • Subscribe.


“Love does not require participation in dysfunction.”

Follow me on X: @punisherpapi · IG: @punisherpapi

“Roberto, come eat. It’s almost 6 p.m.”

6 p.m. —

the new cutoff for me and my mom.

It’s been working for our eating habits, our energy, our peace.

I say this out of love, not judgment:

I sat down and ate Thanksgiving dinner with my mom

while my sister was outside walking her dog.

When she finally came back, she decided to eat in her room.

That’s fair.

I can’t force anyone to sit with us.

My father?

Where art thou, fool?

Pulling up from finishing a delivery.

Shows up late, as the tension is already settling.

My sister disappears.

Poof.

Gone.

“Mom, is she mad?”

“No…”

Pause.

“Your dad was complaining earlier about things he didn’t like.”

Ah.

Got it.

Makes sense.

I love them — all of them — but I’m at least grateful I had a plate of turkey and someone to share it with.

It’s funny… this is the habit of my family.

Unresolved issues that always show their cracks during the holidays.

I don’t take it personal anymore.

I just accept it for what it is —

and keep moving toward who I’m becoming.

Question: What’s one family pattern you’ve stopped taking personally?

If this hit, subscribe — I post Tue/Thu/Sun + daily prompts.



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