A Rant
Every so often I hear from people that I'm too close to my family. Too close to my parents. That I really need to live my own life and cut the cord. Stop trying to gain their approval. Or some version of those. Well, I'd like to say something to people who feel that way about how I live my life. "Fuck You."
Sometime in my 20s I got to know my parents as people, and I found out I like them. It's too damn bad if you didn't make the same effort, or did and didn't like what you found. Is it some kind of jealously that I don't suffer at holidays as you do that prompts your attack? Is it just that inconceivable to have friends as family? I can tell you that you don't know me well to suggest I'm dependent to them, or seek their approval for how I live my life. And you certainly don't know them or you'd know that they don't want dependence; they're very proud to have raised two successful, independent, smart adults.
Which brings me to my brother. Yeah, I like him, he likes me, and we all like to vacation together. Bite me. Twice. What amuses me most is that his girlfriend, my sorta-sister-in-law, wants to spend time with us too. We love her. And my friends, the ones I let come to the house? Yeah, them too.
So, before you criticize me for my happy, well adjusted-ness, why don't you try fixing what's wrong in your relationships first. Mine are great, and I have a life. One that I like.
cross-posted to facebook and unlocked on purpose.