More family of origin issues

Two months ago, I noted that the younger of my two abusive brothers had sent out a semi-truthful circular letter to my aunt (my dad's one sister) and another sibling.

My aunt, a parochial school teacher, years ago used to say she was hoping for my conversion, in Christmas, Easter and birthday cards.

That had faded away for a few years though.

Until this year.

I got that message in my birthday card a month ago.

Fine enough. I have some childhood issues related to her, anyway; they include trying to be a bit of a surrogate mother after my parents divorced, and especially after my dad moved to St. Louis, where she lived. I don't think this was as total of an effort as another sibling thinks, but I do think there was something to it. And, she, like dear old dad, I think wanted to see all of us kids at least consider religious vocations, so there's that. Certainly she, like dad, knew of my science interests and aptitude and didn't encourage it.

Back to the birthday card.

While saying she still hoped — and prayed — for me to accept Jesus, etc., there was NOTHING about Brother No. 3's letter.

The more I pondered that, the more angry, for me, I got. She and Brother No. 2 both like to "manage" family history and perceptions, and this is clearly another example of that.

I'd stay an unbeliever just to spite family perceptions, if nothing else.

Sorry, Auntie Em, but we're no longer in Kansas. And, if you don't want to talk about that letter, to the degree it is truthful, then let your grandkids be in some kind of danger around Brother No. 1.