The older we get, the more we are let in on the family dramas. Aunt Sue said this; we don’t talk to Ed because of that… it all comes out eventually. And unfortunately, it is all messy. But what could a sibling possibly do that allows for such high school behavior?
This past weekend was my grandfather’s birthday. My mom saw him this past week, and called him on the day of his special day, but wasn’t able to see him on the 18th because she was swamped with work. It wouldn’t have mattered anyways. My grandfather was out with all of his children that day except my mom. Why? She wasn’t invited.
Ten to fifteen years ago, this would have been a different story. Just leaving her out would have been a simple matter and she possibly would have never found out about it. But, it is 2015. The golden age of social media. Suddenly, being simply left out becomes a passive aggressive act of defiance and a blatant disregard of basic social manners. #SheFoundOutAboutItOnFacebook.
How do we as a generation stop the degeneration of family units? How do we mend the broken bridges that evolve through years of emotional wear and tear? Where social media could have saved this issue (by simply asking my mom to come or not posting a picture of the event for all to see) social media turned the simple act of leaving someone out into a battle cry. How do we stop this? It seems that social media is not going away, and neither are our siblings… so what can we do to make the next generation of siblings less vulnerable to deterioration?
INCLUSION. LOVE. RESPECT.
With the ability to connect that Steve Jobs has created for us, there are thousands of ways to contact one person by simply using that tiny device you hold in your pocket. (Not so tiny in my case, I just purchased the iPhone 6Plus but that is a different story.) How hard is it to send a text… not because you actually WANT someone there, but because they are your FAMILY and you OWE it to them to include them? Why not connect and include them because of unconditional love? Because you share a bloodline? Or Better yet, why not include them out of respect for your PARENTS who RAISED YOU TOGETHER and RAISED YOU TO KNOW BETTER THAN THAT?
For the record, family events should not be seen as an opportunity to prove a point or to further ostracize a member of your family. #TheMoreYouKnow.
Got family drama you’d like to vent about? Tell me all about it in the comments! Feel free to call those dirty buttheads out by name too. Clearly I am a big fan of public shaming.