The polite thing to do at family occasions is not talk religion or politics. My family does both and then always has to call a truce with either food or alcohol. First, I love my mom with a white hot passion of loving my mom. She is smarter and more resilient than I am. We are on opposite poles politically which made my last conversation with her interesting.
My mother is 89 plus. She’s more social and brain savvy than I am. She was a non registered Republican (couldn’t be) when she was betrothed to my father. Her Dad was a Republican — those were the days. Her Dad was also a racist — my mother is not. She was bullied by my Irish (still looking for evidence of her birth certificate) grandmother who raised money for the Dems and the IRA to register as a Democrat. Ok, still not possible before my mother married my Dad plus 2 years but did so afterwards just to make peace.
I always have horrifying short lived “discussions” with my family re: politics. I’m the only non-Republican. But, have to say, my phone call with my Mom this past weekend (pre some Superbowl stuff) was interesting.
She still thinks HRC is horrible — Catholic hating on Bill. She won’t give in to Bernie even though her good friend, retired priest and classmate of Bernie is a Berniac. She won’t commit to any Republican. She really is quite shocked.
My mother has never not voted. She’s the queen of getting her mail-in ballot in the actual mail. This year, she’s not sure. She is sane and can’t believe her choices among the GOP. Probably the first time she doesn’t mark the President box. I find that ok.
My mom is the greatest woman I personally know. I never figured politics into my analysis — just the fact that she is smart, long suffering and is a giving / beloved person among thousands in her parish and community and me. And she loves her Bernie loving priest.