Family Reunion

My dad's family reunion is coming up here in the next couple of weeks - August 9 to be exact. My sisters, my brother, and I are the hosts this year. Hosting rotates between my dad's 8 siblings and their families with a different family hosting each year. I'm really looking forward to it - Jacob is getting bigger and can enjoy so much more. I'm also putting together games and prizes (for the kids and adults), which I didn't want to do but, I now think that's most of my excitement for going...including all the stories of what my dad was like.

Except for my mother.

Edna is for some reason creating a HUGE drama over the reunion this year more than any other. She seems to think there is a huge conspiracy against her attending these functions with my dad's family. Yeah Edna, there is...it's called D-I-V-O-R-C-E!

Divorce - it's in the dictionary - of which you have 10 of them. Like you used to tell us 'Go look it up!'

She says to me - They pick up Marion and take her. My answer: Yes, Uncle Marvin died. They invite Anita. My answer: Yes, Uncle Gordon died. Joanie is always included in everything they do. My answer: Yes, Uncle Clayton died. She says 'Your dad died too!' I know, AFTER he DIVORCED YOU!

She's been calling me about it and I know she's waiting for an invitation to go with us. I'm sorry, I just can't extend it. The last time I went to a thing with my mother, all I heard was - get me a drink, fix me a plate - which follows with I don't like this, why'd you bring me this, and why didn't you get me any of that, go get me some of that, you should have gotten it the first time - now it's gone, go get me some of that pop - I don't like that kind, I need some coffee, this - I don't know who made it but it's terrible! I almost threw up in my plate, or Oh, that's so-and-so, I want to talk to her/him, "SO-AND-SO come here and talk to me!" I can't simply ignore her either, with her two canes - she hits you with one of them to get your attention. Nice. Real Nice.

She called my dad's brother Art, this weekend. He told her she needs to let all of this go. And he's right. The divorce was in 1990. My dad died in 1999. It's 2008, lady. Let it go!

My turn - thanks for letting me get that out!