Anonymous wrote:I'm Iranian American and besides my immediate family, most of my relatives still live in Iran. My in-laws are generally distant but cordial towards me, but I wouldn't call us close. But it stills hurts that they have not texted or reached out to me at all to ask if my family is ok after the recent bombings. Am I being too sensitive?
It is a cultural thing, it really isn't personal at all. To most Americans family is immediate family. Since your immediate family is all here, your in laws are probably not thinking you are close to cousins, aunts, uncles unless they have met them. To people in other cultures like Latino and Middle Eastern cultures extended family is still really close family ties. Your cousins can be as close as siblings and you might have spent every weekend with aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents. Now add your second cousins, great aunts and uncles, etc.
Then add all the people you called your "aunt" "uncle" and "cousin" but you only realize when you grow up that they actually aren't a blood relative but since they are such close family friends you just always thought they were so you just keep referring to them that way.
And of course the close neighbors you grew up next to that had kids your age and you ate so many snacks and meals at their house or the neighbor down the street you got sent over to borrow a cup of sugar or coffee or had to take a plate of food to if someone was sick. They are like family too.
So I get it OP. I hope your relatives and everyone else who is "family" is okay. Just keep remembering if something happens you know there will be people there who will help out. They won't be alone because their uncle, or aunt or cousin or neighbor or childhood friends' family or someone else will check on them.