Sick sense of humor

Thanks for the kind words on my Week O' Crap. 

My parents and I are so upset with my cousin that we could spit.  I'm not quite sure how I'm going to be able to face her, as all I want to do right now is punch her in the face. 

This cousin had a rough time growing up, her mother often more child-like than she, but we'd hoped in recent years that she was going to be able to rise above her difficult childhood.  My parents were paying for her tuition at the community college; last spring, she announced her intention to continue at the university to get an accounting degree.  My parents were also paying her health insurance, which did not include maternity coverage.  We all were hoping that she would finish school and create a life for herself that was far better than the dysfunctional, impoverished nomadic life she was raised in. 

Now, of course, everything is up in the air.  While she may yet finish school, we can also see this easily becoming a reason to quit.  What bothers us the most, I think, is the clear implication that this was not an accident.  By 5 1/2 weeks, she had known for over a week, and was making thrilled phone calls to relatives around the country, as well as sharing it on Facebook--not exactly the actions of a scared or troubled young woman.  Our extended family, of course, is acting as though it's the best thing ever--her mother is thrilled, and there is nary a whiff of reprobation even from our Fox-news-loving grandparents. 

I was hoping to have her feed our cats while we are out of town next weekend, but I know that I won't be able to have a conversation without it coming up, and I really don't think I can congratulate her.  I don't want to be unkind, but at the same time, I'm having a hard time finding this worthy of celebration.  

I'm sure that I will get tired of playing the role of the judgmental old barren crone after a while...but for now, it's strangely satisfying. 

Comments

[T]

"I'm having a hard time finding this worthy of celebration."

Sanity maybe?

[Sara]

Oh . . . dear. What a shit week, eh?

If it makes you feel any better, I am the ONLY cousin on my mother's side that actually has a child that still lives under her own roof. The rest of them gave them up, lost them to foster care, etc. years ago. And even though they are all older than me, they still manage to get pregnant as soon as a man breathes on them. Needless to say, I don't go home for Christmas.

Sometimes life is beyond understanding.

[Bev]

I agree this is not news for celebration. Her future looked promising because of a wonderful family helping her. Instead of rewarding her for an obvious mistake that seems like a slap in the face, they should be sitting her down and trying to talk about the future she is leaving behind.You know a reality check! (Not that she'll listen.)May I even ask where the father is in all of this, or did he even know she was trying to have his baby all aong? A glorified sperm donor... This makes me sick on so many levels, one being my own infertility. Hang in there. After the ohs and ahs and showers, she is the one who will have to deal with this all.

[WannabeMommy]

Don't blame you one bit for playing the old-barren-crone role. I'd do the same thing.