Dear Rad Jesus,
I have a bit of a family mess going on. My younger sister, who has always been the rebellious one, took off a couple of years ago. She dropped out of college, blew through her savings, and ignored everyone’s advice. She was always posting on social media about these wild adventures and “living her best life,” but honestly, she seemed like a stranger to me.
Then last month, out of the blue, she showed up on my doorstep. She looked exhausted, broke, and defeated. She asked if she could stay with me while she gets back on her feet. I let her crash, but it still hurts that she left us like that—and part of me feels like she should pay for the way she acted. My parents, though, are over the moon that she’s back. They're making all her favorite foods, even planning a big “welcome home” dinner. I just feel like they’re rewarding her for making terrible choices, while I stayed here and did the right thing. Rad Jesus, what am I supposed to do? Am I wrong to feel resentful?
- Signed, Frustrated Sister
Response
Dear FS,
Dude, you’ve been solid like a gnarly wave, holding it down while your sis was ripping it up. I feel ya—it’s a total bummer seeing her roll back like the tide, snagging all the love and dodging the drama. But let’s take a chill pill for a sec.
Think of this as a family hangout, not just a return. Sis has been shredding through her own chaos, but now she’s back, looking for a safe spot. That’s tough, and it’s not without its own kinda gnarliness. Everyone wipes out; what counts is how we bounce back. Your folks are stoked 'cause they know life’s too short to hold onto bad vibes—they just want their girl home.
Wahine, here’s the deal: Let your heart chill a bit, drop the “shoulda's" - along with the “coulda’s” and "woulda's” - and let her back in the vibe. Try to ride the wave from her perspective and maybe even your folks’. This won’t wipe the past clean, but it opens the door for a fresh start. And check it—down the line, this could be the epic ride to a gnarlier fam. Give it some time, be stoked on your journey, and let the love roll back in.
Trust me—sick moves like this are totally worth it.
Your friend in Stoke,
- Rad
