I believe I am among the 99.9% of Americans who love, and at the very same time, hate holidays. They are times to spend with families, usually exchange gifts, catch up with new occurrences in the lives of loved ones, and share tears and laughter over old stories that never really get old. The 4th of July BB-Q out by the river in the glaring sun, or sharing a Thanksgiving feast courtesy of all who attend while watching the pure white fluffy flakes falling on the other side of the window are always a welcome treat. Waiting to see the reaction on a loved ones face over the perfect gift that took months to find is always exciting and excruciating. Watching the children play and grow with their cousins, making sure what might be grandpa's last holiday is a perfect one, everyone working a little harder to keep their manners in check, its all a part of the game.
This would all be a perfect paradise for the day or two that holidays usually last, but I sure haven't ever seen a perfect family get together as the ideal depicts. How many people have saved and scraped to get their child the perfect gift, just to hear "why didn't I get this or that"? All those precious kids are playing alright, while the parents are comparing. Isn't Jenny walking yet? Gee, Jan was walking by 9 months. I can only think of one holiday that at least a couple of the adults weren't bickering over something trivial, I am sure I had just stepped out and missed the fight though. And then there is the time line, and I know it's my fault. Like tonight, I need to go Easter shopping at 10pm on a Friday night so I won't have to put up as big of a fight as if I wait til tomorrow. Then there is the location. Usually we all corral at Mom's house out in the country. She has a big open yard, and a living area large enough to fit us. This year is a different story. Out of my seven sisters and I there are two of us that are trustworthy. Summer (second to oldest) and myself (second to youngest). One of the not-so-trustworthy has had her children taken from her by the state. Since she resides at mom's house for the time being, and some of her kids have been distributed amongst us, and she is not allowed anywhere around her kids, we cannot use mom's house. Soooo, that leaves Summer and I to decide what and where to do Easter; her house or mine. Neither of our significant others trusts the rest of our family to be in the house, and for good reason, so for a while each of us hoped the other sister would volunteer. She was the good sister and took the hit first, but then a couple days later, I caved. My yard is bigger after all, and the kids need room for an egg hunt. So I must crack-head proof my house before Sunday and hide anything that might be of ANY value.
I am seriously thinking of renting myself a vacation home for any and all holiday seasons.
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Oh do I feel your pain. It's a super sad state around my family most holiday's as well. If I could lend a freindly piece of advice it would be this. It hurts and it will be more akward at first but last October my family finally hit it's end. Now my Grandmother, and one of my uncles are no longer allowed at family functions or even to call most of us. They both seem to still respect another great-aunt that I have so she is the intermediary for now. I wouldn't so much wish this on anyone but since you seem to be in the situation already, I'll tell you the peace is necessary to enjoy yourself.
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