Sleep is like a relative with obligations

The speaker has a mixed relationship with sleep, viewing it as a relative they don't particularly like but have obligations towards. They reluctantly sleep but often wake up multiple times throughout the night, experiencing superficial sleep. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about being woken up by the sound of their father closing a folio. The speaker relates to the idea that sleep can be like a distant cousin that you have to do something for, but they personally wouldn't want to interact with that cousin.