I asked my inner circle family in group text
"Do we know if the family in Tehran or Tabriz are alive?"
They are still alive
Our first conversation about the War.
I ask how my Mom is doing
since I was a child, always the same answer
"busy after trip, just same life and enjoying my work"
I ask
"Do you feel afraid or sad about the War against Iran?"
she says she feels sad of course
but not much afraid for living far away from Iran
but anxious for family living in Iran
We both mention the rising prices of gas and goods
We both agree the orange pig will be blamed for this
I tell her I wish they would consider moving
Dad will be 73 this year, mom will be 65

I wonder how many others don't have conversations like this
I wonder how many others have conversations like this
I don't want to talk with everyone about the War
just my family
and they are the hardest ones to speak with about it.