We got a lovely card from Gary’s Aunt Pat and Uncle Dick today. It was addressed to the both of us. I opened it up and found it was a sympathy card. No note, no explanation, just signed “Love, Pat and Dick.”
“Did your parents die and no one told us?” I asked, “Or has your uncle confused us with the Muslim side of the family?”
“No, he said, “If there’s a death in the family everyone gets a condolence card.”
“Okay, but you’ve had four aunts and uncles die , and we never got a card.”
“It goes by generation,” he explained, “If a young person dies all the young people get a card.”
Is this typical? My family doesn’t “do” cards, much less condolence cards. (I wrote the late bride’s family a note. And, we called our nephew but he didn’t return the call.) I suppose when each of Gary’s uncles or aunts died his Mom got a card from her remaining brother and sister? Besides, we’re one generation removed from the young people. Still, it’s nice that he sent a card. Especially since no one even thought of inviting him to the wedding/funeral/festivities.
Of course, I haven’t lost sight of the reality, which is that everyone in the state of Missouri: Muslim, Catholic, Wiccans alike should all get condolence cards based on the enormity of the tragedy.
So, condolence cards? Is it by generation in your family, or is Gary’s the only family that does this? I’m thinking it’s an in-law thing, like all the females getting gifts on Incest Valentines Day.
4 responses to “Fresh Weirdness From the In-Laws”
Evidently, they march to their own drummer — one that has no sheet music and no rhythm and no drum. It’s a S______ thing, baby. Go wid de flow, throw up your arms and say “Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”
Friend #3 – I embrace the chaos.
I guess I hadn’t heard of this. We generally just send one to the main “family” and, if we happen to know certain members of the family better we may send a seperate card directly to them.
Sue – Hm. This is good to know. I guess it all comes down to “You can never send out too many cards.”