It wasn't so bad this year. Everyone was pleasant, there weren't even any little digs. I did feel some minor aggravation towards the sister who stayed at my house Friday night. She was in town from Buffalo. Oh, she told me people in Buffalo HATE Canadians! How could anyone hate Canadians? She doesn't, but she hears complaints like, "They drive too slow." Wow, Canadians enter a foreign country and obey the law. Bastards! .
Anyway, that particular sis is a little arrogant--not uncommon in our family. She's surprised when other people know anything and SHOCKED when they know things she does not. I wish I had a nickel for each time she's asked me, "How to YOU know that???" Then I could afford to move to Canada (;P). I've learned to be amused by her. Friday evening I told her that everyone knows things we don't--even 5 year-olds have probably picked up some piece of information that I've never come across, so it's important to listen to everyone. I hoped she would take it to heart. She didn't. But she shared a story about my father and I that made me look great. So she'll be welcome next time. By me. .
My wife may require some convincing. While I was showering Saturday morning, sis told my wife how badly her new husband's family behaved when her father-in-law passed away. She wished they could have been more civilized, "like we were". She couldn't remember whose idea it was, but recalled that we took turns selecting keepsakes. My wife got really annoyed and reminded her that the other two sisters had raided the house before our dad's funeral--taking jewelry and silver. She reminded her that's when I took over the process, forced them to return what they'd taken and put in place the system of taking turns. That didn't ring a bell with my sister, she just remembered it "going so smoothly" and refused to acknowledge I set up the selection process (oldest first, youngest last). To me, that rewriting of history is expected and amusing (humor everywhere, right?). To my wife, it's infuriating. It all happened just a few years ago!!! Sis may have to stay somewhere else next year. .
PS - My siblings get together every spring to discuss what we (I) did with our dad's estate. It's not much, but we (I) kept it together to take care of our step-mom. It's what he wanted. They didn't like it, but I guess they're getting used to it. This was the first gathering that didn't include a terrible argument. Progress! =)
That's good, congratulations Rick! =)
ReplyDeleteIs it too wishful thinking to hope that things go more smoothly in the future? =p
Wow. You have an interesting family. I like your bit about Canadians. Funny and annoying at the same time. I hope there's more progress in the next family gathering! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine having five siblings! Sounds to me as though you either like each other or you don't? Just my observation anyways. :) You seem to be the most levelheaded one.
ReplyDelete(Disappointed with the Atlanta Housewives? They were one of the sassiest bunch! Or was that why? LOL. I had a good weekend. Thanks!)
Congratulations on enduring that event with your family. Your sister sounds like am interesting character to me. Hehehe
ReplyDeleteI remember our last Family reunion / Family War (2001) that resulted with no more family gathering annually... T_T
ReplyDeleteI miss my cousins...
family gatherings are always tricky especially for some, i think its great that the discussions went smoothly this time, the progress is very good news! :)
ReplyDeleteProgress, indeed! Sometimes I wish my family lived further apart so we'd appreciate each other more when we do meet; but I guess I should be happy that we can gather so often without incident. :\
ReplyDeleteIt's always difficult with many siblings I can tell that, I have an older sis, an older bro and a yonger sis. I'm usually on good terms with everyone, but my older sis can be realy annoying... she's 13 years older than me, and because of that huge age gap she thinks she has a lot of more life experiences etc blabla... and she treats me like a child which can really get on your nerves, hahaha.
ReplyDeleteI was expecting to hear about your infamous brother and suddenly a sister from Buffalo enters the story! :-) And about those Canadians. They might drive slowly, but they can shoot a hockey puck like nobody's business. That's the real reason the people in Buffalo dislike them. They just don't want to admit it.
ReplyDeleteWow..there's always one in the family like that :) but i'm sure each has quirks so I'm sure they must be saying stuff about you also :D hmmm..this entry got me thinking...what do my 4 siblings think of me? interesting, interestiiiing trivia... :D
ReplyDeleteand every day i read new things about you.
ReplyDeletehear me sing: getting to know you, getting to know all about you!!!!!!
=D
Your sister sounds like a hyperbolic character straight out of a classic text to be satirised during literature lesson. Ok I dunno how the words "hyperbolic character" were at the tip of my tongue and I think I used it in the wrong way but I hope you know what I mean.
ReplyDelete