In-law dinner
My SIL invited us to have Christmas dinner at their house last minute. Frankly, I would have gone to the barrio for their feast, and took them the dal dish afterward because vegetarians have it hard at the holidays. Everything is meat-based. Nevertheless, the fam filled two tables. Him yielded to pressure to sit at the head table while I sat at the kid's tall square table in the breakfast nook. The BIL's ex wife and her husband, her sister and husband, and of course, one of our hosts (who always observe proper etiquette) filled out the table. Conversation centered largely around medical issues and treatment, as Liz was in a very bad auto accident and her knees need further work. She said the doctor called it detritus, which must mean fragments of bone.
All in all, it wasn't as awful as I imagined. Since I had recent experiences to share (a backpack, ushering, church), I tried to touch on the highlights to steer the conversation toward matters of interest. The Colombian sisters spoke of their deceased sib, who developed bone cancer while she was living and caring for FIL. Alba(d) stayed with Liz, who is able to select better memories now.
Selective memory is a wonderful gift. You don't have to don rose-colored glasses, but can cherish the best of the many impulses that bombard you in a given moment.
For instance, earlier in the day, without calling first, I delivered small gifts to Nephew and his family, knowing my sis was there. The kids are at the age where they come up share their toys. There are limits, of course. In her favorite toy, I had to put the chocolate cookie in the monster's mouth before the chocolate CHIP cookies, or there would be consequences. In his bug track, the vibrating 'critters' bounced and collided in what can only be described as toys imitating nightmares. Sis stayed in the nook reading and waiting for her turn to interact with the grandkids while I was there, rather than involving herself in the fray. Will I remember her standing and reading the article instead of telling me her latest paranoid fantasy? I hope so.
All in all, it wasn't as awful as I imagined. Since I had recent experiences to share (a backpack, ushering, church), I tried to touch on the highlights to steer the conversation toward matters of interest. The Colombian sisters spoke of their deceased sib, who developed bone cancer while she was living and caring for FIL. Alba(d) stayed with Liz, who is able to select better memories now.
Selective memory is a wonderful gift. You don't have to don rose-colored glasses, but can cherish the best of the many impulses that bombard you in a given moment.
For instance, earlier in the day, without calling first, I delivered small gifts to Nephew and his family, knowing my sis was there. The kids are at the age where they come up share their toys. There are limits, of course. In her favorite toy, I had to put the chocolate cookie in the monster's mouth before the chocolate CHIP cookies, or there would be consequences. In his bug track, the vibrating 'critters' bounced and collided in what can only be described as toys imitating nightmares. Sis stayed in the nook reading and waiting for her turn to interact with the grandkids while I was there, rather than involving herself in the fray. Will I remember her standing and reading the article instead of telling me her latest paranoid fantasy? I hope so.