My mother was reading the obituary of a woman in town that had been very social and a hard worker. I only knew of the woman. I did not know her personally. My mom started picking this woman's life apart and I was shocked at the negativity. Was Mom jealous of this woman's life? I think the thing that topped it all was when she said that just because she had played guitar in her church did not make her a Christian and she was not in Heaven today.
I had to change the subject. How did she KNOW if this woman was in Heaven or not? God judges that. I would not be making a pronouncement. The whole diatribe of hers was aggravating.
Then today my oldest sister started complaining about Christmas presents. She was yapping about last year's gifts and how she had spent a lot on a present for Scott and Lisa but they didn't spend as much on her and David. "They got me exactly what I asked for and nothing else." Oh.for.the.love... "I can guarantee that they didn't spend as much on you as you did on them."
I could not stand it. "Ok. They got you what you asked for. And? I don't care what anyone spends. I put a lot of inexpensive things on my list but they are things I need. Even if they buy me one small thing on my list, it is one less thing I will have to buy myself. What I choose to spend on someone else is just that...MY choice. I am not sizing things up. It takes the joy out of it. Be grateful!"
Then she proceeded to yap about something mom did for her, "because I would not do it well enough. I am too stupid and incompetent."
"Oh relax! She did the same thing to me. She has control issues. She has always been that way. It isn't personal."
Give me strength.
Bah humbug.
