Nothing like family.....

To piss me off to a level that I can't believe. All it takes is one seemingly harmless e-mail, and my blood pressure will go up.

I'll admit that I'm not one to be pegged as an image of a family person. I forget birthdays and anniversaries, but I don't ask for any recognition of mine. And I'm not ever likely to phone just to say hi; small talk not being something I am good at, or enjoy.

Yet somehow, with the handful of times I do hear from my family, well, I wish I hadn't. Don't misunderstand, they have not done anything wrong to me. In fact, for the most part, I've been left to my own devices. Perhaps, a mixed blessing.

Personally, I have only asked for one thing from my family. I've been gone for 5 years, and they have yet to come north and see my life. It's a little hard to take. However that isn't what has me over the top.

I feel as though my sister has taken advantage of my parents. They have put their lives on hold to support and pay for hers. And now, she is moving on to start her new family, leaving her old family with her debt. With what appears to be little or no thanks. While my parents should be enjoying the golden years, they are still going to work. I understand that parents will do what ever it takes to help their children, but at the same time, some recognition and respect would be good. I fear that after all their years of hard work, my parents won't have a chance to enjoy the things they should. And I just don't understand how my sister will ever be able to re-pay the debt as she claims she will.

My sister is entering, what I can only imagine, is a very big time in her life. It is unfortuante that what should be a happy and exciting time for everyone in the family, is overshadowed in my mind by things that I have little or no control over.

In regards to the e-mail in question; If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. I'll just vent it all here.