It's HOLIDAY TIME!
It's joyous, wonderful, awesome and convivial!
But, it can also be stressful being around relatives and the accompanying drama.
I have relatives who hold a grudge from eons ago! So, they're cool and distant...making for discomfort!
And then there are parents who can't control their kids -- making the holiday time disruptive and harrowing -- especially if you discipline them against their wishes.
And can't forget the takeover relatives who bombard you with the same stories and same inclination to hog everything!
In a few cases, I've opted to stay home rather than endure the strain of being around folks who cause stress. That happened when my nephew and his wife invited me to dinner one year and her relatives spent time drinking and ending up in a drunken stupor. Then, when they were at the height of their "high," they began focusing their venom toward me...the sane one. They called me "Miss Proper" and began tearing me down.
In fairness, I enjoy some of the family luv that emanates from a select group of family. I love them. Cherish them. And generous toward them.
I enjoy seeing them flowers into mature, responsible and intelligent human beings.
They make up for the crazies and balance out the downers.
So, I've begun more particular about how I spend my holidays.
And, if necessary, I'll stay home and watch TV -- avoiding all the mess and drama.
