Comment on Family Thread Goes Over Poorly
Dear Abby | October 31st, 2024 | Letter 2 of 3
DEAR ABBY: I am a childless 70-year-old man. Every year around the anniversary of my brother's death, some relatives get together and travel to his hometown to celebrate him. We have a remembrance at the cemetery and go to Mass together on Sunday. We also go out for meals and drinks. There are three generations involved now, the youngest of the kids being 10. This year, my cousin's son and his wife had a baby. We're all happy for them. A couple of days ago, I sent a group text on our family thread saying I didn't think it was a good idea to take an infant on this trip. I explained that I felt it would distract from the purpose of the get-together. Well, my cousin is offended and won't tell me why. I carefully worded my message so I didn't say anything negative. Was I wrong? -- TRADITIONALIST IN PENNSYLVANIA.
DEAR TRADITIONALIST: You wrote that the purpose of this get-together is for the family to honor your deceased brother and celebrate his life together. When you posted your message on the family thread, did you expect your cousin's son and his wife to skip the event and stay home with their baby? Their baby is part of the family and may be too young to be without their mother. While your carefully worded message reflects your feelings, it was out of line, and I can see why it upset your cousin.
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