In the midst of the pandemic, and even shortly before, my family was undergoing a massive event that firmly tore apart the fabric and comfort of what was once a connected family. I know it had to happen for our collective sanity and health, but it's still difficult to reckon with, even now. 

How I commute has changed. How I live has changed. But most of all, how I communicate with and receive communication from my family has fundamentally changed. Each material connecting us represents a different aspect of our communicative relationship. 

My Dad and I (the black bean can and the bigger of the two tomato cans) are connected by a thick ribbon. Our communication is smooth and we are deliberately tied together because we help and support each other and are integral to each other's checks of growth and staying afloat. My Dad is the can of black beans because his energy, humor and personality are much darker than my Mom's, who is the brown beans. She is lighter and more sensitive, like me.

My brother and I (the big tomato can and the small tomato can, these cans used to separate us as kids vs. parents) are connected by a bracelet with large stones (and my Dad is connected to my brother through me as I often relay information between them). The stones represent how sometimes it is difficult to reach him, and the bracelet was selected because although we are now distant, my relationship with my brother is precious to me. 

My Mom and Dad are connected by a breaking headphone cord because their communication is frayed and often unclear, much like the sound (or lack thereof) trying to get through the cord. 

My Mom isn't really connected to anyone else, since we have all distanced ourselves for our well-being. I feel awful for it, and I'm trying to make amends, but it's difficult to cultivate a relationship with someone who was once distant.