Posted on Nov 26, 2015
Did you ever feel deprived because you family never lived up to a Norman Rockwell image?
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I felt deprived until one day a friend of mine, a Lutheran pastor, assured me that no one else's family lived up to the images portrayed in a Rockwell painting. Did yours?
It's gotten worse with age, especially in this age of political correctness. My children have little tolerance for my traditional views and they certainly don't want their children infected with them. My wife, a very successful mother, is remonstrated if she dares suggest any child rearing advice to the very children she lovingly raised.
Then there are those other relations: Siblings, nieces and nephews. Dinner conversation is a minefield for any so brazen as to broach it with them. That's why I'm going armed (or armored) with a list of 10 No-Fail Dinner Party Conversation Starters http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carla-mcdonald-/10-nofail-dinner-party-co_b_5611000.html provided by that bastion of political correctness, The Huff Post.
I've also read The Democrat's Guide to Talking Politics with Your Republican Uncle http://www.yourrepublicanuncle.com/ to inure myself to the propaganda I can expect in spite of every effort to avoid discussing politics.
Thus I shall endeavor to abide by my wife's most fervent wish to keep peace in the family.
Good luck to all others who find themselves in my position.
I've written a very short story illustrating the problem. I mentioned that I was writing it in another discussion and promised that I would tell one of the participants that I would send a link when it was ready. Sadly, I've forgotten which discussion and the person's name. Hopefully they'll find it here...
http://www.jackdurish.com/7/post/2015/11/thanksgiving-table-talk.html
It's gotten worse with age, especially in this age of political correctness. My children have little tolerance for my traditional views and they certainly don't want their children infected with them. My wife, a very successful mother, is remonstrated if she dares suggest any child rearing advice to the very children she lovingly raised.
Then there are those other relations: Siblings, nieces and nephews. Dinner conversation is a minefield for any so brazen as to broach it with them. That's why I'm going armed (or armored) with a list of 10 No-Fail Dinner Party Conversation Starters http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carla-mcdonald-/10-nofail-dinner-party-co_b_5611000.html provided by that bastion of political correctness, The Huff Post.
I've also read The Democrat's Guide to Talking Politics with Your Republican Uncle http://www.yourrepublicanuncle.com/ to inure myself to the propaganda I can expect in spite of every effort to avoid discussing politics.
Thus I shall endeavor to abide by my wife's most fervent wish to keep peace in the family.
Good luck to all others who find themselves in my position.
I've written a very short story illustrating the problem. I mentioned that I was writing it in another discussion and promised that I would tell one of the participants that I would send a link when it was ready. Sadly, I've forgotten which discussion and the person's name. Hopefully they'll find it here...
http://www.jackdurish.com/7/post/2015/11/thanksgiving-table-talk.html
Family
Politics
Thanksgiving
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 8
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Not at all deprived. We had our share of ups and downs, but what family didn't? We survived and still to this day can talk about what it was like growing up with nothing, but happy to have food on the table.
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SFC (Join to see)
CPT Jack Durish - We always did. As long as we had family, no matter how bad everything else was, that was all that mattered. And it holds true to today.
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The Norman Rockwell image of Thanksgiving is a total farce, albeit an iconic one. This is not the norm for any families nowadays.
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Nope, never did, never will. My family we fight tooth and nail with each other BUT God help anyone else that try it
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CPT Jack Durish
I don't think there's a cop in the world who wouldn't nod at your statement. Whenever called upon to intervene in a domestic dispute they almost invariably become the target of both parties.
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Dinner usually goes well, but eventually current events come up and the fur starts to fly.
I am often asked my opinion - because I'm in the Army, that must make me a subject matter expert on everything from Mali to Fukashima to Ukraine to Syria.
Meh.
I do enjoy the banter though, until someone gets butthurt.
I expect that today's core topic will be the precursors to Armageddon in Syria. Usually I can parry attempts to tie every current event to prophesy, but this time I might just get sucked in.
I am often asked my opinion - because I'm in the Army, that must make me a subject matter expert on everything from Mali to Fukashima to Ukraine to Syria.
Meh.
I do enjoy the banter though, until someone gets butthurt.
I expect that today's core topic will be the precursors to Armageddon in Syria. Usually I can parry attempts to tie every current event to prophesy, but this time I might just get sucked in.
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CPT Jack Durish
Same here. What I object to is the fact that I must keep my mouth shut to keep the peace while every family idiot is permitted to mouth of incessantly. How is that fair?
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I did grow up in a very traditional Norman Rockwell utopia. I was very active in school activities and competed in Speech and Spelling. Mom & Dad drove me to competitions all over the state and it paid off. As a Senior in H.S. I was the State Speech Champion and State Spelling Champion. I was President of the Debate Society in high school as well as the President of the Beta Club. I was Valedictorian of my Senior Class for Graduation.
I was an avid reader of everything from DC Comics to the Classics. The school librarian took an interest in me early on so I had a reading list of mandatory books to be read. And I enjoyed fiction as well. My Mother was the Head Dietitian for the County Schools and my Father was a very light blue collar worker for a transmission manufacturer as the Director of QA/QC. White frame house with a white picket fence out in the country. I was presented with a 6 year old Ford Fairlane for my 16th Birthday in which I promptly overhauled the engine, a 260 CI V8, under the supervision of my maternal grandfather who owned the local Gulf Gas Station with 20 repair bays. During the summer, lunch was served promptly at noon and supper was always on the table at promptly 5.
We had the first color TV console TV in the county, 3 stations out of Cincinnati was it. The only magazine subscriptions were TV Guide and Readers Digest. From the First Grade until my Senior year we never missed a Sunday at Bethel Methodist Church in our own pew.
I mowed lawns using Dad's push mower, I drove from yard to yard every day of the week. I always had a roll of twenties in my pocket. I lifted the mower into my trunk and off I would go. I had probably 25 regular customers. Yup, Mom & Dad plus my Sister and I were the perfect Norman Rockwell painting. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Mom & Dad are still alive, very healthy and active. Every other day or so when we visit we play the old, old game of "Rick, Do you remember,,,," Dad and I still trade Case Brand pocket knives.
I was an avid reader of everything from DC Comics to the Classics. The school librarian took an interest in me early on so I had a reading list of mandatory books to be read. And I enjoyed fiction as well. My Mother was the Head Dietitian for the County Schools and my Father was a very light blue collar worker for a transmission manufacturer as the Director of QA/QC. White frame house with a white picket fence out in the country. I was presented with a 6 year old Ford Fairlane for my 16th Birthday in which I promptly overhauled the engine, a 260 CI V8, under the supervision of my maternal grandfather who owned the local Gulf Gas Station with 20 repair bays. During the summer, lunch was served promptly at noon and supper was always on the table at promptly 5.
We had the first color TV console TV in the county, 3 stations out of Cincinnati was it. The only magazine subscriptions were TV Guide and Readers Digest. From the First Grade until my Senior year we never missed a Sunday at Bethel Methodist Church in our own pew.
I mowed lawns using Dad's push mower, I drove from yard to yard every day of the week. I always had a roll of twenties in my pocket. I lifted the mower into my trunk and off I would go. I had probably 25 regular customers. Yup, Mom & Dad plus my Sister and I were the perfect Norman Rockwell painting. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Mom & Dad are still alive, very healthy and active. Every other day or so when we visit we play the old, old game of "Rick, Do you remember,,,," Dad and I still trade Case Brand pocket knives.
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CPT Jack Durish
That was then, this is now. I'm betting that you have replicated that family with an extended one that is very similar. But, can you speak freely, even with them?
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SGT Rick Ash
CPT Durish,
Yes, we can and we do. At Thanksgiving Dinner yesterday the extended family was there. Even dad's Brother Hank, he lost his wife to cancer last year. I worked for him in the tobacco fields and barns many years at no charge. His daughter was there too, Kirkie is a workman's comp attorney but for the employer, not the employee. She owns 2 law firms and has fascinating stories. My 2 nephews graduated from Transylvania with their BS and they were there. Very quick witted and we had a blast for 2 hours after the meal. My Son was at home in Murfreesboro, TN to host his In-Laws, we just spent 4 days with him and his friends in Pigeon Forge, TN in a great log home that slept 32 but we had 40, three weeks ago. Jason and I are very close, he owns 4 flooring companies and always has business questions. ( I started and sold 4 different Hi-Tech Systems Integration Companies over the past 31 years and can usually help him out ) We talk on the phone for hours if we haven't visited lately. And my 6 year old grandson? Don't let me start but he is the most intelligent and most handsome grandson ever!
Wife of 43 years' family is the same way. We get together about 3 times a year for a huge meal with her side at an outdoor pavilion at a nearby State Park/Resort and one would think we are one family. Is it too early to say "It's A Wonderful Life"? :-)
Thank You for your service Sir.
Thanks,
Rick
Yes, we can and we do. At Thanksgiving Dinner yesterday the extended family was there. Even dad's Brother Hank, he lost his wife to cancer last year. I worked for him in the tobacco fields and barns many years at no charge. His daughter was there too, Kirkie is a workman's comp attorney but for the employer, not the employee. She owns 2 law firms and has fascinating stories. My 2 nephews graduated from Transylvania with their BS and they were there. Very quick witted and we had a blast for 2 hours after the meal. My Son was at home in Murfreesboro, TN to host his In-Laws, we just spent 4 days with him and his friends in Pigeon Forge, TN in a great log home that slept 32 but we had 40, three weeks ago. Jason and I are very close, he owns 4 flooring companies and always has business questions. ( I started and sold 4 different Hi-Tech Systems Integration Companies over the past 31 years and can usually help him out ) We talk on the phone for hours if we haven't visited lately. And my 6 year old grandson? Don't let me start but he is the most intelligent and most handsome grandson ever!
Wife of 43 years' family is the same way. We get together about 3 times a year for a huge meal with her side at an outdoor pavilion at a nearby State Park/Resort and one would think we are one family. Is it too early to say "It's A Wonderful Life"? :-)
Thank You for your service Sir.
Thanks,
Rick
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Nope. I'm a military brat and proud to have and share what I got. Rockwell made pretty pictures...but so did Playboy.
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I had an absentee father, but we were never really lacking the essential things.
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CPT Jack Durish
Although single parenting is not anyone's choice, there are those who succeed at it and there are those who fail. Regardless, some children can survive anything. They're known as indomitables
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MSgt Curtis Ellis
CPT Jack Durish - Still the same. No negative topics (to include politics or bad day at work, etc) at the dinner table. Anything can be discussed anywhere in the house, positive or negative to include politics, but all negative, including politics, stops at the dinner table, or you don't eat! LOL! My boys still follow that rule when I'm there and they are grown men! We still have our discussions and all speak freely/respectfully. Even with friends that I have, if they become heated, I take myself out of the "discussion" as to me, it's no longer productive.
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