h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have been out of touch for longer than I’d imagined. If I remember correctly, the move to BBC made my access problematic (BBC is usually on Iran’s forbidden sites) and real life did always interfere. Also, it was about that time that mom’s orthopedic surgeon took a look at my wrist and we found that the previous surgeon had messed up pretty bad - so bad in fact that my hand was better right after a 4 hour surgery than it had been for two entire years… I have now movement in my left wrist which actually comes from the elbow, and am not supposed to carry more than 1 kg with that hand, but sooo much less pain!
Spring 2007 my brother announced that he was going to marry the daughter of a family friend (incidentally the same one he had sworn never ever to set foot in their house again). The plan was a small ceremony at home with only the family elders, and a big reception in the summer when her sister had returned from abroad. Dad had contracted a chest cold, but enjoyed the ceremony, mom’s 70th b-day the next day, the monthly gathering of friends which he was hosting that month (with the wedding decorations still up), and visiting with friends and family who all had happened to come back to Iran at about the same time. He even managed to go on a three day trip with my uncle and the bride’s father to the heritary garden we have in Damovand village and reminiscence about the old days.
3 weeks and 2 days after my brother married, my Father died from an heart attack. He was 78 years old.
Mom and I were not at home at the time, but were told that he just said he wasn’t feeling well, laid down, fell asleep and was gone. Considering how scared he was of being bedfast and mentally incapacitated, this was the best way for him. I still miss him terribly, but he IS with us all the time.

Winter start of 2009 my father’s eldest half brother (who hadn’t been informed of Dad’s death all this time) passed away after several years of illness. One month later, my older aunt, who was over 80 too, died of cancer. Her children had decided not to inflict treatment on her, and she spent the last month pleasantly drugged up and in ignorance of the brother who preceded her.

All of this was an unbelievable burden for my Eldest surviving Uncle, who also passed away spring 2011 at 86. He was spared long illness and was surrounded by friends and joking around when *something* happened – he either broke his leg and fell, or fell and broke his leg, or even a mini-stroke that caused him to fall… anyway, only three days in coma and very little pain. His much younger wife and my cousins are devastated. We knew their marriage was a very affectionate and devoted one, but considering my grandmother had arranged the marriage on her deathbed… my aunt is a shadow of herself.

We had hoped much from bro’s marriage, especially when The Most Adored Nephew was born in 2008, but instead he was encouraged by his wife into disrespect and demands. Mom’s reminders that they were living rent-free in HER house and had duties and responsibilities were answered by keeping the nephew from her (and me). After an arranged scene after which sister in law claimed that mom hates her, the problems escalated to the point that mom decided to sell the house. She had to “buy” bro out by buying him a new flat and handing over some cash too. Now we are in a new building, this time with 4 floors with 100 square meters flats and a tiny garden, and still in the middle of renovating, but we have stopped taking medication.
In the middle of this, and the cause of bro denouncing me as an inheritance thief and the mastermind behind the conflicts (…), mom got worried that if something happens to her, bro will get the large portion by law and his wife might cheat me out of the rest of it (she’s a lawyer), so she authorized me to sell the old cottage at the Caspian Sea, and buy myself a house in the Island of Kish in the Persian Gulf. It’s simply heavenly, in a quiet place away from the touristy quarters, and most importantly, mom loves it. My health has suffered greatly over the past few years, both because of the stress and the pollution in Tehran, and we hope that living there will bring me back on my feet. I’ve already shipped my stuff over there, but am stuck in Tehran because mom has another hip-replacement surgery soon.

But When it gets too much, I can just buy a ticket and hop over for a few days.

( I have acually left out a LOT, because together with the problems our housekeeper had with HER family, our life was acually like a south american or korean telenovela for a time...)

Oooooooooooh that's a lot to digest! But I am glad you're OK, dear nim

I'm working on the *slightly more cheerful* one right now. should be up soon.