I am now part of a family something like that, since my father married my step-mother and my own mother moved halfway across the country. Since my sister has moved to Oregon, she has exerted some of the influence of the general populace, but by and large, being Quakers, my step-mother's family manages to win out and give me some hope.

I was at their house when I wrote the original post, and we had finished our initial round of opening gifts. I had finished up my breakfast and was killing time while others did the same.

I, for the past several years, have only been able to afford to buy gifts for the children/teens in the family. If, as has happened on occasion, I spot something that really speaks to me of one of the adult family members, I will purchase it. I don't go out and buy gifts I can't afford, however, for people who can well afford to get them themselves. Mainly because I can barely afford to feed and clothe myself.

I don't understand the idea of going into debt over a holiday that is supposed to be about someone who espoused ideas of simplicity and economy for people of a religion which holds those among their highest ideals (my family, at least in terms of those I was with today, are Evangelical Quakers).

I just... can't help but feel Jesus is shaking his fists and railing at the irony.