So today I was at a youth year end party. At one point, we started talking about extended family. I was asked about my family, and I instantly tensed a little. The closest relatives awe had living to us was just 30 minutes away. However, we never get together where family normally would, like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Chinese New Year. Why? My parents and my uncle and aunt butt heads. It kinda started with my little sister. She was really young, and hadn't really learned manners yet. One thing was clear: she hated girly things. Anything pink to her was deadly. So when my aunt got her pink Dora sandals for her 6th birthday, she made a sour face and refused it. My aunt, being a little of a penny pincher, didn't like my sister's reaction. She kind of took it out on my mom. When they say in-laws don't get along, its definitely true here. Over the past couple years some nasty emails have flown and I didn't enjoy hearing them one bit. My grandparents came from Hong Kong to visit 2 years ago. Somehow, my parents and my uncle and aunt got in a fight while they where visiting. My parents didn't like the situation we where in, so my dad did the apologetic gesture of pouring tea for everyone at dinner. Even after that, we still had tension without even seeing each other. My parents sent them money as a Christmas gift, knowing that they had low income. However, our Christmas card from them arrived with the money we just sent them.
Recently, my uncle invited us to attend his ceremony that promotes him from pastor to reverend. I have to admit, I didn't have a good time. I'm happy for him achieving a major milestone in his life, but I didn't like the fact that our two families barely interacted. All I remembered was a picture, and that's it. We didn't even sit together.
So why do I hate talking about extended family? Because the relationships are not good. It's that awkward relationship in which you aren't flat out hating each other, nor are you on good terms. It's in the middle, and it hurts me to think about it. It makes me hate family reunion.
Recently, my uncle invited us to attend his ceremony that promotes him from pastor to reverend. I have to admit, I didn't have a good time. I'm happy for him achieving a major milestone in his life, but I didn't like the fact that our two families barely interacted. All I remembered was a picture, and that's it. We didn't even sit together.
So why do I hate talking about extended family? Because the relationships are not good. It's that awkward relationship in which you aren't flat out hating each other, nor are you on good terms. It's in the middle, and it hurts me to think about it. It makes me hate family reunion.
And most our other relatives live in China. So we don't see our whole extended family a lot. But why can't we get along with our brothers and sisters that just live a half hour drive away?
No comments:
Post a Comment