As most of you know, my family, overall, are a nice group of people. That is not to say, however, that many of them do not drive me crazy. Indeed they do. Often.
The most recent example revolves around the Christmas gift-giving season. If you'll recall the Great Thanksgiving Blow-Up of 2007, where as I dared to suggest that we give to charity instead of each other and the resulting shouting/screaming/crying that went on from that, this year I was resolved to be quiet. I did not want to cause the family outrage I had engendered last year so when asked what I might want to do, I left it alone.
I had talked to my Mom about a compromise -- a $10 donation of goods to a food pantry and a $10 gift. Mom then took this and offered it as a suggestion to the family.
It was received better, although I will not say very well, by the family. Sister, Mom and I are on-board, as are my Cousin and his wife, but Cousin B and her family and Aunt J (of the crazy Great Thanksgiving Blow-Up of 2007) are not in favor. Nonetheless, it was agreed to and we went on our way.
Now it has come to pass that Cousin B says she and her husband cannot afford a $50 donation to a food pantry. Just to do the math, Cousin B and her husband would be responsible for $10 (each) donation = $20. Where is the other $30 coming from, you ask?
Her 20 year old son.
Her 19 year old son.
The 19 year old son's girlfriend (the babymama).
Somehow, Cousin B thinks she is responsible for the gift-giving of her grown children as well. She has missed the point entirely, and as such, so do her children. Up until now, the 19 year olds have not been part of the family exchange and as such, have had gifts purchased for them. This will be their first year in the exchange. The 20 year old, he participated last year but his mom (Cousin B) bought the gift for him to give. I might like to say at this point that all three of these people are employed.
My point is, and has been, that we are fortunate as a family to be so blessed with food, shelter, clothing and most materials wants met. There are plenty of people out there in our community that lack even the most basic things: shelter, food, clothing. Thus, we as a family should share our blessings and be thankful.
ai yi yi.
I'll be upping the meds this weekend for sure.
3 comments:
You know you can always come to the Shark Families house if things blow up. We do not require gifts, and would be delighted to know that you are making a donation to a food pantry.(Ok...beer is always nice, but it isn't required)...call us about your next visit up north.
Jay:
Thank you. You are an island of calm in a sea of family nonsense. I will talk to Sister about a visit to your casa over the break.
Just call us...or text. We will be around. And if you want, we will be at L.A. and F.i.L.'s on Wed. night...there will be alcohol and merriment as this is the annual shindig. Oh yeah...and greatful understanding people.
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