Growing up, I was not exposed to people holding grudges. On Mom’s side of the family, she had her parents and her two sisters and their families. They were a four hour drive away so we didn’t visit that often, except in the summer we might stay with my grandparents for a week or two. We all got along fine. The cousins played together and the adults visited. I can’t remember any arguing or animosity between any of us. Dad’s side of the family was a bit different. Dad had five brothers and they and their families all lived in Ohio for most of my growing up years. Most were close by. We got together on Sundays and holidays. Sundays were usually at Grandpa and Grandma’s but the holidays rotated as to who was hosting. Dad’s family heritage was Scottish and Irish. They were Catholics that loved to party. Alcohol was always flowing at their parties and as everyone knows that can bring on the arguments, and there were some doozies, but they didn’t hold grudges and at the next party everyone would be back, laughing and talking and drinking, having a fine old time.
So from that background, I was not prepared for my husbands family. There were six kids, three girls and three boys. Over the course of our marriage I have seen a lot of animosity between siblings and some siblings against the parents. His one sister constantly shuns people, then may or may not have anything to do with them in the future. We are presently on her list of people she doesn’t want to have anything to do with. I will not get into their family except to say it is very sad. I always wanted peace and reconciliation but have learned not to get involved with the conflicts.
Life is too short to hold grudges. I anger slowly, and if pushed too far can explode, but once I’ve had my say, that issue is over and I will not bring it back up again. Everyday is a new day to try again. Unfortunately my husband has some of his families traits and can call up slights from a long time ago, more unfortunately my youngest son seems to have picked up this trait. I am thankful that the oldest two aren’t like that.
I am grateful that I grew up around people who might argue, but didn’t hold grudges. I try to be at peace with everyone.
— Lizzie
So from that background, I was not prepared for my husbands family. There were six kids, three girls and three boys. Over the course of our marriage I have seen a lot of animosity between siblings and some siblings against the parents. His one sister constantly shuns people, then may or may not have anything to do with them in the future. We are presently on her list of people she doesn’t want to have anything to do with. I will not get into their family except to say it is very sad. I always wanted peace and reconciliation but have learned not to get involved with the conflicts.
Life is too short to hold grudges. I anger slowly, and if pushed too far can explode, but once I’ve had my say, that issue is over and I will not bring it back up again. Everyday is a new day to try again. Unfortunately my husband has some of his families traits and can call up slights from a long time ago, more unfortunately my youngest son seems to have picked up this trait. I am thankful that the oldest two aren’t like that.
I am grateful that I grew up around people who might argue, but didn’t hold grudges. I try to be at peace with everyone.
— Lizzie
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