Seems many of us have to deal with major holidays and family members that might not hold our political views, or put another way they are bat shit crazy. The last few days it has been hard for me to venture on the Internet and not see headlines to articles about how to deal with this. My direct family not "crazy." Mom and dad life long Republicans. But mom came our way a few elections ago because she did feel in fact there was a "war" on ladies. Dad finally after Trump was elected.
And my brother, well he doesn't care about politics. Doesn't vote. But clearly a liberal.
Those four of us is kind of my family, but my brother married into this huge, huge family.
Easter. Thanksgiving. X-mas. Well we all get together.
I have to admit when we don't talk politics I actually like the people. But my gosh. They thought Obama wasn't born in the United States. He is Muslim. Gay. He is going to take away all their guns. You name an email meme and they believe it. I never start the verbal fights, but of course I stand alone and fight back with facts against like 30+ folks. I get nowhere.
Well this Thanksgiving my brother, his wife, and wonderful daughter Katie got the flu and told us they were not going to Thanksgiving. My parents and me decided we'd not attend the family event either. We were happy about it.
On reflection this makes me sad. Of all the major holidays Thanksgiving might be my favorite. I get it is all based on lies, but food. I like me some food and I can find any number of things to be thankful for. This year the rotation was such it would be at Suzie's place. A non-traditional meal. Heck we were doing it on Saturday and not Thursday. Part Thanksgiving meal and the biggest breakfast you've ever seen.
The darn ham, not turkey, the ham is from a hog killed within the week from the farm of Paul, my brother’s wife’s brother. Heck Paul’s son is 20, a Marine. It was at this family event two years ago where he noted he wanted to enlist. Everybody in the place against it. My father, former 30+ years military and myself were the only one that supported his desire to serve! Kind of funny when you think about it for a few seconds.
There are people on my mom's side of the family that go to a church that is only like a step away from the preacher having live snakes on stage. I know a lot of folks that don't hold my views. A gap between us so far it will never be closed.
But when not talking politics a lot of them I enjoy being around.
It pains me I was happy not to attend this year. More of a void between us I guess.