Don’t expect Money. Support. Love. Encouragement. Understanding. Listening or Forgiveness not readily offered.
Cross those off your “Family TO DO” List.
At your age, if this hasn’t happened yet, I hate to be the one to confirm it, but that horse you’re still kicking is
dead.
I know. Some part of you is MAD. Your Mother should be loving. Your Father should remember your birthday. Your brother should try harder not to steal from you (twice).
Your sister should cover SOME of her cleavage when your husband and sons are around and stop “borrowing” money from your aging parents. (And yes, she WILL raid their house the moment someone passes away. You are NOT getting the promised diamond earrings OR the photos.)
Should. Should. Should.
What if you just stopped looking for acceptance from that family member who you can’t make things work
with?
If they don’t show up as agreed, you’d be okay, you didn’t rely on them.
If they make you feel fat, you’d be okay, you don’t need them to say nice things to you.
When you stop HOPING they will change and accept them as they are (crazy and all)…something remarkable usually happens. They get
better. In the absence of your judgment and resisting, they can get a little better.