Let The Shaming Begin

These are my sisters. Jennifer and Chrissi. I love them them tremendously. They give me good advice, they listen to my troubles, and they are both awesome moms to my nieces and nephews. And yet I have a problem with them. They NEVER come to visit me. Despite the fact that I have visited them at least once a year, they have not found the time or had the inclination to visit their only brother. That of course being me (imagine the sad Pete Chat face). Now I know they have very busy lives, that it is easier for them to have me visit than vice versa, but after more than four years living here, I think it is about time.

What you might ask is the genesis of this post? Jealousy. On sunday my neighbor Wendy had her sister and brother in law and their kids in church. Wendy was getting all sorts of attention, and I was frankly jealous. Not to take anything away from Wendy who is a lovely person, and has a Whittier connection, but I think most of the attention was generated as a result of her sister's kids. It made me think, why my sisters don't visit? How after the many trips to Toys R US, the amazon packages with videos, or toys, and the bragging about how great it is to be Uncle Peter, that neither Chrissi nor Jennifer has ever come to visit me since I have lived in the Washington DC area.

Imagine how my Q score would be in the Colonial if I had these to show in person plus young Master William.

So I am starting this campaign to get my sisters to visit before I turn 30 on November 19th.



I will preemptively address their concerns.

1. We're busy. -True but sometimes sacrifices have to be made for family.
2. It's expensive. -Life is expensive, and you can't put a price tag on family.
3. The kids have school. -School is overrated.
4. We just saw you. -It's been longer than you think.
5. We told you we would come. -Yeah but you haven't.
6. You don't need to use our kids to get dates, you are plenty skilled on your own. -True, but it certainly wouldn't hurt.

My sister Jennifer thinks that sending Marc here later this month is enough. I say it is an act of good faith but just a starting out point.

I would like my sisters to come and visit me here and see what my life is like. Just for a weekend that is all I am asking for. That is why I will periodically be using my new media presence to encourage them to commit to coming for a visit. I will be turning to Facebook, Twitter, Google Buzz, and even LinkedIn, if I could figure out how it would help me professionally. I have also considered starting a grass roots email write in campaign where friends can send emails to Jenn and Chrissi telling them why it is so important they visit me.

Don and Marc are not totally off the hook either. I tried to get them to meet up with me in Chicago for an Angels game and was given some excuse about needing advanced warning, and it being Father's day weekend.

My Dad, I have all but given up hope of him ever visiting again. He has virtually nothing keeping him tied down in Whittier, but seeing as he doesn't know how to turn on a computer I'm not sure how effective a new media campaign would be on him.

 But at least he and my mom came for a visit in 2006.

So my dear sisters you are officially on notice. Make plans for a visit...SOON!