Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Family Ties

It was my mom's birthday yesterday. It was, unfortunately, not as nice as it should have been. We went to dinner at Applebees. My sister, Sheena, said she couldn't come because her daughter, Aryana, was cranky and crying and her boyfriend certainly doesn't seem to ever babysit. Sharie was her usual angry self and when I tried to get everybody to share some memories of Mom, she said she couldn't think of any. My sweet niece, Alexis, has not been taught how to sit down and behave while eating, so she was making a scene. After dinner, we were all supposed to go out for drinks, but Shawna and Sharie didn't come because they didn't have babysitters or just didn't want to. So, Shawn and I took my Mom out. She has been wanting to play keno for a long time, so we went to a casino that had pool tables so that Shawn and I would have something to do. We didn't end up playing long because Mom's bowels started, ah, acting up and we had to race home to get her to the bathroom. She doesn't see eye-to-eye with public bathrooms, not because they are dirty or anything, but because they are public and she can't always relax enough to go. This seemed to irritate Shawn, but maybe it's just because he feels he is too long from his "true love."

Anyway, I really wish my siblings would make more of an effort for events like this. Sure, things happen, but when it's your mom, I feel like a little extra effort is in order. My brother and sisters are too often enmeshed in their own lives to see what is really going on in other people's lives and to be bothered to go out of their way for someone. I know what it's like because I've been there, but it's still frustrating.

4 comments:

Mom said...

I, too, wish we all could have been together yesterday for dinner. But, all in all, it was a fairly nice birthday. I've had worse so I really appreciate the ones that turn out fairly nice.
Whether it's a birthday or not, I absolutely love when we're all together and you can honestly feel the sincereness of everyone enjoying each other's company. Those times are becoming quite rare. And that makes me want to cry.
Each of you has your own uniqueness and I enjoy each of your company for different reasons. I see most of you on a fairly regular basis but I don't feel that we have enough quality moments of really sharing ourselves. Those are the moments I truly treasure and will keep in my heart forever!

Mom said...

P.S.
And, by the way, Shane, you could have left out the part about my bowel problem! Personal information like that doesn't need to be put out there for all to see!

Captain Noble said...

I didn't say anything about your hemorrhoids, did I?

Shawna Noble: said...

I should not have to feel like I have to defend myself here.

First- I mentioned a few times that I could only get a babysitter Thursday night.
I am curious Shane how well you would do having to be a fulltime parent and not having the luxery of a co-parent.
Second- This was not well planned and I blame ALL of us for not planning something in advance. You can't expect to drop this the last minute and expect everyone to be addequetly prepared.
Third- While we are bitching about Birthdays and such. Why wasn't something planned for mine last July. If my memory serves me right, there was nothing planned. At the last minute I suggested we all go out to dinner. I missed Sharie that night but I didn't feel right about bitching. It was her loss for not being there.

Sheena, I understand you could not make it. You are stressed and trying to have a nice dinner with a crying baby would have only fueled your stress.

Sharie, you have never shown an interest in family get togethers and like I said before, it's your loss.

Shane, that's great that you so enjoy being with family. I do as well. I to wish we all could have gone out afterwards.
Lets try to plan something better next time and lets not bitch when it doesn't meet your standards.