It's Just Another Dysfunctional Family Christmas

As far as I know, I have all the food and most of the presents bought for Christmas.  I have to get just one more gift this evening, and that part will be done.  I've decided to have Christmas Eve supper for my side of the family at my house.  I'm a bit nervous about this because my side of the family is the dysfunctional side.  We all seem to have one, don't we?  Well, my mom never plans anything.  She just says something like, "I may cook a ham, and people can stop by if they want to."  We used to get together at her house every Christmas Eve night.  That was back when things were simpler.  Everyone's kids were young.  Everyone was still married.  People would lay off the booze for the day.  Now, the kids are older.  There are great-grandchildren now.  Couples are separated.  Some are just living together.  Most of them are down on their luck.  Mom is gripey, as usual.  She doesn't care what she says to us.  She will use the opportunity to cut down those who make her mad throughout the year.  We all try to ignore it, and hold our tongues, but a person can only take so much!  I told her that we were going to do this at my house, and I didn't want any fussing, or I wouldn't do this again.  She said, "Well, if you're gonna be that way about it, let's just call it off!"  She TOTALLY missed the point!!  Does that mean that she plans on fussing?  Probably.  It's ingrained in her.  She's always done it.  I even bought her a little sign one time that said, "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!"  Boy, they hit the nail on the head with THAT one!  I think she did that little sign.  She can't take a joke either.  Everything has to be so serious all the time.

Anyway, she called this morning and said that she didn't guess that they would come, that she would just cook at her house on Christmas Day.  She tried to attribute her change in attitude to the weather because it is supposed to be stormy.  But, I knew that something was up.  I believe that my mom is depressed and needs medication.  Believe me, I've been around it enough to know!  She's feeling sorry for herself, and she wants everyone else to feel the same.  But, you know what?  I told her that we were still having it at my house on Christmas Eve at 5 p.m.  I talked to my dad later, and I told him about my conversation with her.  I told him to make sure that he comes and brings her with him.

This should be interesting...