There are topics that some people prefer not to discuss. Politics, religion and salary to name a few. I’m sure there are more but I was raised to not discuss those three topics with anyone outside of our four walls. Today everything is a free-for-all from slamming our political leaders to coming clean about your thoughts on organized religion…or just simply not being a believer at all. I remember years ago hearing about citizens in other countries being thrown in jail for saying anything negative about their leaders. Nothing would satisfy me more than going on social media and letting everyone know how I feel about certain subjects but I’m not strong enough to handle the backlash. Because of this I keep my mouth shut.
I am still old school about ‘what is said within these walls, stays within these walls’. Today nobody has a filter on their mouth because of ‘freedom of speech’ and the fact that nothing will happen to you personally if you share your views. Except on Facebook. You can go to ‘Facebook Jail’ for saying the wrong thing or posting the wrong type of picture. Hell, if I said everything on my mind, I’m sure I would get a personal call from Mark Zuckerberg offering me a monthly stipend to stay off of all social media…including Facebook.
There is somewhat of a taboo subject that is rarely addressed. Family. Every Mother’s Day and Father’s Day social media is inundated with tributes for having the greatest Mom or Dad on the planet. There is also Sibling’s Day which draws out millions of posts on social media about how much everyone loves their siblings.
It is rare that you see a comment from someone who isn’t actually fond of a certain member of their family. Why? Because of the backlash. That backlash is coming from people who can’t even fathom having a Mom, Dad or sibling that doesn’t deserve a nod on any of the holidays created for family members. If they grew up in a house with parents like ‘John and Olivia Walton’, then so did everybody else.
Out of respect, most family’s keep their mouths shut publicly about a relative that they are stuck with. Since I read the local obituaries several days a week, I get a feel for what kind of person the deceased was…and since every obituary is written by family members, the deceased was nothing short of a gift from God, and if given the chance, they could probably walk on water. There are no scathing obituaries because family’s aren’t going to spend hundreds of dollars to announce that their family member was hated and / or despised. They’re family…you’re stuck with them. While they’re alive, you may have to tolerate them for holiday’s and an occasional family wedding, but now that they’re gone, it’s simply good riddance. Forget the obituary…let’s take that money and go out and celebrate that they’re gone.
I have seen the following obituaries before because they are a novelty. Why? Because someone actually had the balls to speak their mind publicly about the deceased. While these are novelties, people who grew up with ‘John and Olivia Walton’ are appalled by this.
Kathleen D She married Dennis D. in 1957 and had two children, Gina and Jay. Kathleen became pregnant by her husband’s brother, Lyle D., and moved to California. She will not be missed by Gina and Jay, and they understand that this world is a better place without her.
Dolores A Her family will remember Dolores and amongst ourselves we will remember her in our own way, which were mostly sad and troubling times throughout the years. We may have some fond memories of her and perhaps we will think of those times too. But I truly believe at the end of the day ALL of us will really only miss what we never had, a good and kind mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. I hope she is finally at peace with herself. As for the rest of us left behind, I hope this is the beginning of a time of healing and learning to be a family again.
Leslie Ray C was born in Galveston, Texas on November 20, 1942 and passed away January 30, 2017, which was 29 years longer than expected and much longer than he deserved. Leslie was surprisingly intelligent, however he lacked ambition and motivation to do anything more than being reckless, wasteful, squandering the family savings and fantasizing about get rich quick schemes. Leslie’s hobbies included being abusive to his family, expediting trips to heaven for the beloved family pets and fishing, which he was less skilled with than the previously mentioned. Leslie’s life served no other obvious purpose, he did not contribute to society or serve his community and he possessed no redeeming qualities besides quick witted sarcasm which was amusing during his sober days.
What can we learn and take away from this? We live in a troubling world and society. Be kind. Let someone cut in front of you that appears to be in a hurry. Family’s are made up of all different personalities with likes and dislikes that might not be the same as yours. Every now and then a few feathers get ruffled and when they do, talk it out and put it behind you.
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