Tora,I feel you pain, believe me. Only for me it is on my Mom's side of the family.
My Dad died seven years ago. Since then, my mom has gone somewhat insane. She has tried to force me into the mold of her side of the family. Whenever I try to do something that is normal to Dad's side, I (metaphorically speaking) end up with a Legion of Caesar's finest chasing me half way across Nebraska.
For example, let me tell you about my aunt (Ma's sister-in-law). Last Thanksgiving, I smelled Grandma pulling the turkey out of her oven. Following something my Dad and I had done for years, and something I still do, I went into the kitchen to see my dinner, as well as to "pick off" a little bit of stuffing. My aunt threw a fit, just because I tried to walk into the kitchen, I broke off of the fight that nearly insued.
That isn't her limit. Last December, while watching a Husker game on TV at Grandma's, Mom and my aunt (Grandma may have said a few things too) were talking about various stuff. I mentioned to Mom something that I wanted for Christmas, a Hank Aaron autographed baseball hat. My aunt, being her bit(hy self, screamed at me, "What do you need it for? It isn't any use to you."
I am a baseball fan, we collect stuff, what the he!! did she think I wanted it for?
Same day, same football game, she and my mom were talking how my Dad would save EVERYTHING. I said it was smart, because you never know if anything will be of any value until you throw it away. Auntie decided, while sitting less then two feet away from me, to INSULT my Dad. That is one line you don't cross with me (I almost beat someone in my Geometry class my sophmore year for doing something similar). I restrained myself from saying or doing anything until she left. I pulled Grandma aside, and finally let loose (rather loud, too). I told Granny, that if my Aunt ever did that again, I would either beat the tar out of her or kill her (I don't remember which I said, probably both). My Grandma calmed me down, and I sat down to watch the end of the game. My Uncle came up to me, and threatened me that if I ever disrespected his wife again, I would have to answer to him. That is when I ran out of the house, screaming at the top of my lungs, that I would no longer tolerate anyone disrespecting my Dad. I went to fine Ma, and told her what happened.
I don't get my uncle, though. He was right there when my aunt did her thing. God bless Grandma though.......
These things aren't the end of it. Earlier this year, there was a death on Dad's side of the family, my Aunt Carol's (Dad's sister) husband (my uncle Jeff). She has since moved, and we do not have her address. I graduate high school in exactly one week (May 21), and whether or not she can come, I want to send her the announcement thing with my picture in it. My Mom isn't budgeing on calling people who might have it.
You see, my Mom and her side of the family (with the SOLE exception of my Grandma, my cousins, and a couple of others) have tried to cut me off from Dad's side of the family and force me to conform to their standards.
Maybe Mom is losing it. My Doctor says that a couple of moles I have on my back need to come off. Doc said this last January. Mom isn't budgeing on scheduling the thing. There is a possibility that I might have skin cancer, and Ma doesn't seem to care. The only things Mom usually seems to care about is how she looks, and money.
Oh well, I look foward to the short break I'll have from them when I go to the state Track meet this week...
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Brandon "Enterprise" Grasmick
Commanding Officer, USS Sovereign (NCC-74222)
"Captain, the Sona crew are willing to negotiate a cease fire. It may have something to do with the fact that we have 3 minutes of air left."
-- Worf
Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges
-- In time of war the law falls silent.
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