Holidays and Family

I used to get really excited this time of year, but for many years now I find it a real struggle to get too excited about it all. I suppose it really is no mystery. This is the biggest family holiday of the year, and needless to say my family is very lacking. You would think that they might put aside their feelings of superiority for one month out of the year, but I guess that is asking alot.

I don't really understand why my family hates me. It isn't like I was a drug addict or anything. I didn't commit crimes and do time or something. I haven't stolen from them. Let's see, I graduated high school, and served in the Navy for almost 8 years. I received an honorable discharge. I have been a good dad to my kids seeing them and paying my child support when necessary. I have asked my family for very little in the way of anything over the years, but apparently, it must have been too much.

It is kind of funny, I suppose, it really went downhill many years ago when I actually was forced to choose between spending Christmas with my three children, one of which I had not seen that much for a couple years up to that point, and spending it with my two older brothers and my Dad at my brother's house. I was actually told it was rude of me to invite my children to the ''family" Christmas get together. Needless to say, I chose my family, my children, as any good father would do.

Ever since that Christmas my brothers have never invited me to their homes. Come to think of it, my brother didn't invite me to his house for Christmas, he had my other brother do it for him. My brothers use to think they were so much better than me, which is fine if that made their lives better. The funny thing is I have tried repeatedly over the last many years to call them out and ask them why they are the way they are, but alas, nothing.

If I have a problem with anyone, I tell them. My brothers are very weak men. They will never admit that they are shallow and have been terrible brothers. My oldest brother even lied to me at his wife's funeral saying that he would call me. Hey, Bro, I am still waiting.

It is amazing to me how much effort I have put into trying to maintain relationships over my entire life. I use to call my brothers on their birthdays from all over the world. Guess how many times they have called me on my birthday? not too hard, zero.

My wife's parents invite us over to their house numerous times a year and we have big family get togethers that are a lot of fun. I have seen how it is supposed to be. That is why I can say that my family has been a failure and it falls on all of the members.

I have given this blog address to everyone in my family to check out if they care to, but I know that they don't check it, because that would take some effort on their part, and more importantly they would have to care about me to be curious about what I am up to to check the blog.

I hope your family is a close loving family. I have not given up hope on my children and my wife's children in that one day we will be hosting the huge family get togethers. I often wonder if I will ever see my brothers again, which is really sad, especially given the fact one of my brothers lives probably five minutes from me.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.