The Mystery of Families
One of the things in life that we truly do not have control over is the ability to 'pre' pick our families. I'm sure you have heard folks talk about or more like complain about their families. Every family seems to have a black sheep, a do gooder, a gossip, a cheapskate, a spinster, a tightwad, a spendthrift, a hypochondriac and a just plain creepy one.
My family has just about everyone of the above mentioned and oh so much more. It's times like holidays or special celebrations that bring out the get togethers that everyone actually seems to dread. Some worry about what others think or what the crass ones will say....I have a relative that will walk up to you and say "My have you gotten fat lately, what have you been eating?"
This relative made the mistake of saying that to my slender daughter and my daughter said "Oh you have gotten very chunky too, what have you been consuming?" The relative walked away in a huff....Why do some older folks think they can say whatever is on their minds? I was told it is because they think they have earned the right due to living so long. I ask though at what expense? They have to know others still have feelings? Oh well when it comes to my daughter I think they learned that if they dish it out they should expect to get it right back.
I try to see the humor in others and I try to understand where they come from in the theory that I might not take comments or judgments so personally. It is a hard thing to master but practice, practice practice and one day I might do well with the concept. I'm sure in the long run it will save a lot of heartache and especially ward off some nasty family feuds.
Needless to say this last family get together was indeed one of the most harmonious in a long long time and I stayed unstressed which was a miracle in itself.
Happy bonding!!
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Words, once they are written, have a life of their own.
Carol Burnett
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