She’s Family

Barbara on Jun 21st 2010

Over the past 2.5 years, I’ve gotten quite attached to this old lady…

Dali and my snuggie

…even if she steals my favorite blanket with sleeves.

I went back and forth about writing about this, but finally just decided to go for it.

The week after Dave and I got back from Vegas, we found out Dali had cancer. Lymphoma to be exact. Dave decided he wanted to give her chemo treatments, because according to the vets, without them she would have probably died within a few weeks. Treatments could give her a few more good years.

The 12.5 years that Dave has had her, he’s never had to take her to the vet once. Up until now, she’s been healthy as a horse.

My family’s old dog died of the same thing, but by the time we found out what was wrong with her it was too late to do anything. I’m glad that we were able to catch this early with Dali and at least try to do something to help.

I’m thankful for the teaching job Dave got that is paying for her treatments. Dave would hate himself forever if he couldn’t afford to do anything to help her. I’m pretty sure he loves that dog more than me.

We don’t have kids. She’s all we got. We’re going to do everything we can. That’s what you do for family…even the furry members.

Filed in dali,family,photos | 9 responses so far

Dear Dad,

Barbara on Jun 20th 2010

Thanks for not being a jerk, sticking by your family and working your ass off for all those years. You’re the best. I’ll always be your girl. Happy Father’s day!

P.S. The card I got you is totally awesome.

Filed in family,photos | 2 responses so far

This needs to be said

Barbara on May 16th 2010

I believe there are two sides to every story, which is why I am often reluctant to write about certain things on this website. Hearing only my side of the story doesn’t seem fair to the other participants, but in this case, I really feel there is nothing that the other side can say that would justify the reasons for doing something so incredibly disrespectful.

I know a lot of my family members read my website. For those that don’t, this would be a great time to start reading. Honestly, you should all know what happened. If you disagree with me, feel free to call me a bitch. It wouldn’t be the first time, but in this case, I believe my feelings are 100% justified.

On April 6, my grandmother died after a long battle with cancer. In her will, she stated she did not want a funeral. My mom’s family respected her wishes. She wanted to be cremated, so my grandpa set it up with the church to have her ashes buried there and have their priest do a small ceremony with just immediate family. My Mom thought this would be perfect for the family and a great chance for her to say her final goodbye. Except that they already had the service. My mother was never called. My Grandpa and 2 uncles went to the service a few days ago. No one ever bothered to call my Mom to let her know.

Things like this are the reasons why I don’t talk to that side of my family. They have absolutely no respect for my mother whatsoever. To do something like this to her is the ultimate slap in the face. It’s rude. It’s disrespectful. There is no solid reason that any of them could say that would justify why they wouldn’t tell her about her mother’s service. As small as it might have been, it was my mother’s final chance to say goodbye to her mom. They robbed her of that. It’s fucked up. There, I said it.

The worst part is that my mom thought that this unfortunate event would have changed things between her family and us. That maybe, just maybe, her father and brothers would realize they were missing out on a lot and try to develop some sort of relationship with us again. For a split second, I thought that this might happen to, but it’s clear that they don’t give a shit about her, her feelings, or the fact that our family has barely spoken to them in over 10 years. Despite our differences, my mother was at my grandma’s side the last few weeks of her life. She wanted to be there. She rearranged her schedule. She missed work. She sacrificed her life so she could be by her mother’s side in her last days. That’s what you do for your family. No matter what the relationship might be. The other things aren’t important. It sickens me that her father and brothers can’t realize this. They will never grow up. They will never change. They will never see what wonderful young women their nieces and granddaughters are.

I’m DONE, but I’ve been done since I was 16. I was smart enough at 16 to realize that I they weren’t right. That they’ll never change. That they’ll never stop being disrespectful to my mother. That they simply don’t give a shit.

And it’s really their loss. Because they will NEVER be a part of my life. Not after this. It makes me sick to know that I’m even related to people like them. I’m tired of them hurting us. I’m tired of their bullshit excuses for why they do the things they do. There’s no justification. Some things are just too big.

And to my mother. I am so very sorry. I wish that there was something that I could do to make you feel better. I just wish, for your sake, that things were different for you.

Filed in family | One response so far

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