Family Holidays
Dear Frankie,
My friends and I don’t understand why our families act so weird during the holidays. We all have horror stories about our holiday celebrations.
This year, there was a story about a grandpa who refused to eat because grandma and Rover were gone, the drunk uncle who argued with his brother-in-law and then accused the family of never taking his side; the aunt who freaked because no one complimented her on the sweet potato casserole she slaved over for hours; and the cousin who couldn’t believe her sister was still with the loser boyfriend, who every year insists they play charades after dinner.
But despite the accusations, drama, and slights, when the next holiday rolls around, back they come to do it all over again.
We don’t get it.
Rocky
Dear Rocky,
Humans are big on the tradition that families get together for the holidays. Emotions run high during these times: beloved family members and pets are missed, expectations for the perfect holiday often go unmet, long-term jealousies are aired, new family members through marriage and relationships impose their traditions, and unresolved issues with the family come to the fore. All of which are further intensified by stress, close quarters, and alcohol.
If you and your friends asked the humans in your families why they act the way they do, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear them say, “We’re only human, and you can choose your friends, but not family, so we do the best with what we have.”
It beats me. But who are we to say? We’re only dogs.
Best, Frankie
© 2024 Geneva Woodruff
Comments and letters can be sent to Frankie at dearfrankiecolumn@gmail.com. The Fairhaven Neighborhood News publishes the Dear Frankie column. To receive a free online subscription, readers can email neighbnews@comcast.net, request their name be added to the email list or visit www.neighbnews.com to read the paper online or to download the latest issue.
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