My cousin isn't writing and I am beyond :angry: angry and hurt. The last time he wrote was a few days before Christmas and he said that he was looking forward in having a visit for Christmas, since he has never had a holiday visit as long as he has been down (May 1996). Around the same time I was looking forward in seeing him but at the same time my car died, the head gasket blew. I wrote him and told him that I loved him and what happened to the car and that I was sorry to disappoint him that I was unable to see him. It broke my heart because this was going to be the 1st Christmas that I was going to spend with him ( we never grew up together as children). He never wrote back and since then I have moved and struggled with issues, been through Hell and back. He still hasn't wrote. I know that he has my new address so that can't be used as an excuse. He was suppose to be my Best Friend, and for years we have depended on each other since we've been reunited ( 6 years ago). I don't really have any family left that I can depend on and I feel so alone without him. My boyfriend who is also serving time doesn't understand and always tells me that "men don't write to their families as they do to their girlfriends, wife ect." So he doesn't understand why this is affecting me so much. He tells me that he is my family now and to say F it and leave my cousin alone because if he doesn't care why should I? I have wrote to my cousin so many times before begging him to write so I have expressed my feelings about his lack of writing. This isn't the first time my cousin has gotten up and walked away, he has done it before and stopped writing for almost a year. Then he wrote saying how sorry he was and asked if I would forgive him. It's always the same "you know I don't like to write" or "I've been struggling in here, feeling depressed." Well if he is struggling then he needs to turn to me and I can be there for him with my hand reaching out for his. He comes home in 2009 after 13 years down and with him acting like this, in my life one day and out the next I sometimes wonder if he will be like this once he comes home and this is his way of letting me know what life will be like with him out here. I am the only family he has left that has been there for him and will be when he comes home. Thanks for listening to my frustrations!!

I have family members that will write very often then suddently stop writing. Your boyfriend is right. family don't write as much as they write to their girlfriends. Believe me, my boyfriend is one who never writes, we talk on the phone and I'm always on his case about his letters not coming my way. It's not easy, but I tell you not to worry too much about your cousin. Obviously he has issues and that place is difficult enough. Give him space and in time he will get in contact with you. Don't worry too much. I'm sure he's fine. It's normal for you to be angry, but it's best if you let it go for now.

some people just prefer to be alone, family or not.

& he is your cousin so dont give up on him
write him & let him know how you really feel
even if you dont get a response you cant say you didnt try
fill him in on your life. give him something to read.
maybe he'll find something interesting to write back to
& if he doesnt like to write, well you can force him.

just be there for him