It's 11:51 PM as I write this. Way past my normal bedtime, and my eyelids are drooping, but I have to "blog it out" so I can sleep with a clear mind.
Tonight was, without a doubt, the most stressful Ceder/family dinner in recent memory. Eight people were present, and five of those eight walked into the evening with an emotional fuse already lit and fizzing. People were snapping at each other. There was yelling from the kitchen. Person A brought wine, and Person B barked that it wasn't sweet enough. C brought a cake, and D shrieked that it was the wrong kind of cake: it should have been a little square one, not a big round one, and in the end the cake was not served because of this fiasco. Don't ask me to explain why it was that much of a problem; I don't get it either.
It seemed like we couldn't go ten minutes without a conflict and raised voices. Whoever wasn't involved in the yelling either participated non-verbally (via pained looks, frowns, and sighs), or kept their head down and tried not to make eye contact with anyone. I opted for the second strategy.
The rituals of the Ceder were not given weight for their own sake, but as grounds for further arguments. It was not, I will venture to say, a spiritually uplifting evening.
Bah!
And now I shall offer some positives from the day:
Gorgeous weather!
Lunch with my multi-talented and effervescent little sister!
Cute T-shirts purchased at the schmatte store: 3 for $5 !
Ken declared that he has "turned the corner" in his recovery from bronchitis!
I get to sleep in tomorrow!
Or shall I say today. It's 12:08 AM now. Definitely time for bed.
13 comments:
Yay! for Ken feeling better.
I'm glad we don't have family around ;)
Glad, Ken feels better & the weather was great.
Hope you did sleep well and had better dreams than I did ;)!!
My family gatherings usually consist of everyone sitting around forcing smiles and conversation, wishing we were all somewhere else.
Glad Ken is feeling better, bronchitis is no fun at all!
Ron: I'll pass along your good wishes. :-)
Nicole: It sure is a mixed blessing! I love them, but boy can we drive each other crazy.
Leighann: Hey, your family sounds a lot like mine! Actually, we have our good days when we truly have a good time together, but it's always a crapshoot on any given occasion.
Why is it when ever families get together, there is always that sort of tension?
Sorry.
Families. Can't live with them sometimes. But we wouldn't be alive at all had we not had one.
Though not Jewish, I've been at that very Ceder. On both sides of my family. It happens.
When you've rested up, wander over to my place. I have a huge meme posted, but at the end an award awaits you, Red.
why would you call a store rags? i suppose its tongue in cheek. families. i declare. they will work your nerves won't they!? lol. love the positives of the day tho! nice weather, lunch w/sis & a turnaround for ken are so what's hot for the '08!!
EVERYONE:
Thank you for your sweet and supportive thoughts! I have just returned from Ceder #2, which was much, much better. Yay! :-)
Sounds horrible. Did you ever consider just leaving?
Nilsa: Yes, there were several points when I considered just walking out. If it ever gets that bad again, I may just do that. :-p
Woah, sounds like family need to be put on pause. Mmm, sun...
I will never understand organized religion. Do people REALLY think this matters to a higher force(a God?)? Like that God is keeping track of who follows what goofy rules? Really?
Aric Blue: My thoughts exactly.
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