Maybe I am pmsing...who knows.
Or this is just redheaded attitude.
But, for many years now, I thank God regularly that I am not raising a girl. I have a niece ... the only niece I will ever have ... and she sometimes pisses me off.
She is graduating from high school Friday night.
I know girls go through this "I know everything. I am wonderful. Bow down you mere foolish people and honor me" stage, but my issue with my niece has to do with her treatment of those I love dearly. Sometimes I just want to ask her if she really knows how much my broher, mother and myself have loved her over the years.
Her treatment of my mother can be disrespectful. Out of respect for my mother I haven't yanked her out in the backyard at a family function and told her what I think of her attitude towards my mom. But then she is just at this age where she doesn't see it.
However, my mother saw her own father die at age three, survived the great depression, put herself through college, became an RN, lost my little sister, buried my father, buried her mother, buried her step father, buried her second husband and put both me and my brother through college. She witnessed our house cat of 15 years get run over by a car and saw her flopping body stuck to the pavement. She ran and got a shovel and put our cat out of her misery, then sat down on the curb and cried. She is a saint in my book and I want to ring my nieces neck when she dismisses her.
The latest has to do with graduation invitations. My niece never sent one to my mother ... or to me for that matter. My mother is really hurt. We are talking a straight A student here. I was a straight A student and I made sure that my family was invited to my graduation. I personally took the time to write little handwritten notes in each invitation and told them how they helped me through the years growing up. I am hoping when she is away at college she begins to see her family in a different light. We are not the enemy.
Meanwhile, my own son finishes 5th grade tomorrow and is invited (along with me) to a party in Napa that I would rather attend with people who love us more than my niece. My brother called tonight asking that I come to his daughter's graduation - trying to mend the holes she has shot through his family's importance. So, for my brother I will go. I would go to hell for him - and if you have sat through any long graduation ceremonies lately you might think you have been the fiery dungeon. Besides, this is only a teenage phase with my niece and there is much to admire about her. I would feel bad if I hurt her over not being at her graduation - it's just the way I am.
***
Before I even finish the rant I have a comment from V. I did the nice Aunt thing, forgave her past digressions and went. Yes ... I did buy gifts ... and no, one wasn't a manners book. I do understand this age with girls. My niece graduated in the top 10% in the state of California. Brains she has got. What she will do with them will be interesting to see.
Hopefully she will grow up and come back around to be a wonderful human being again. Soon, she is off to Colorado to college.
Oh... to be starting out in life.
C
http://journals.aol.com/rapieress/Aweekinthelife/
