It's your birthday and a family member writes on your Facebook timeline. They think: "That's it. My conscience is clear." I said my "happy birthdays." I'll talk to them next at Christmas.

Wait what? That's cheap, y'all.

I understand the geographical distance separates us but is it that hard to just pick up the phone and hear my voice?

Family can be a funny concept. We're required to love people because they share our genes and lineage, but to be blunt, what if they suck? What if they never seem to make an effort? What if you could be content going the rest of your life without having another conversation with them? I'm sure there are members of your family who you're thinking of right now.

And yes, we are all adults here. Although we may not feel like we are sometimes (am I right?), we're over 18 and most of us live on campus or in our own apartments, etc. So we have our own minds to pick up the phone and call our long distance family members. So what I'm saying is... we

shouldn't have an excuse.

On the other hand, for our aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. to be more seasoned than us age-wise, it's pretty sad when a 50 year-old chooses not to call his 21-year-old niece to see how she's doing. I mean, she is

your sister's daughter for crying out loud. As a middle aged adult, you'd think they'd be more mature and respectful than that.

Social media gives us a way out of this. Family members can creep through our posts and witness our everyday events from the sidelines without even speaking a word to us. They're just another "friend" on the list who can basically pass for ghosts.

We have this extraordinary technology known as a cell phone which allows us to communicate with each other, crossing borders and time zones. Years ago, families would give anything to talk to their relatives across the country. They would have to rely on horse and carriage to deliver their letters, and even then, it could take months for those letters to reach loved ones. Yet another breakthrough we as a society take for granted...

I am such a family oriented person that it baffles me when other families as well as my own distant relatives choose to act like this. Some may say, at least they are making the effort to send you a text. But you see, it should be effortLESS. It's not a chore or an obligation. You never get to see these people on the daily, so that's all the more reason to pick up the phone.

Although you may not see it done in return, just be the bigger person and call. No matter the distance. It's a gesture of love and respect.