My cousin Stephanie comes from my father’s side of the family. Among that group is my father’s Uncle and Uncle’s wife who founded the Carl Yung (famous shrink guy) Institute of Santa Monica. My uncle’s wife is Jewish so I have all these Jewish cousins. My Paternal grandfather (who may not have actually been my biological grandfather) was a guru in the 70’s. My Dad’s brother and sister-in-law are now Buddhists.
And my father’s recently deceased older brother left the USA for tax evasion reasons, moved to Venezuela where his wife had an affair with a local doctor… had a child by that man, then another child by my Uncle and then when the two divorced my Uncle kept custody of the son NOT his, while his wife took his son back to England with her. I wish I’d know Ian wasn’t really my cousin… he was hot! (He committed suicide over a girl in his late 20’s)
Have I said crazy runs in my family? Funny thing is, medically it runs on my mother’s side NOT my father’s side. My entire family lives the Southern California saying.. fruits and nuts and flakes. My second cousin, once removed or whatever was gay and died of Aids.
Our Christmas Eve parties involved so many traditions we kind of tossed most of them out and just enjoyed each others company. Christian, Jewish, Crystal Worshiping Spiritualists, Vegetarian & Carnivore all gathered together as family! Pass the Eggnog and add the liquor, liberally!
My mother’s side.. where the crazy truly comes in… mostly fundamentalist Christian. Literally… pastors, their wives and kids. And mostly Republican because of it. Because for some reasons many fundamentalist Christians believe morals should be involved in politics. Hello!.. There are not morals in politics!
Top everything off… my father’s family loves my mother.. tolerates my dad. My mother’s family.. understands my dad more since he’s also become a Republican Christian.. (he was always a Republican.. but became a Christian when I was 16). My sister married a Navy doctor who’s specialty was so lucrative they bought a home in the San Diego area in a big sub-division. In the front of the sub-division is a sign advertising “Homes in the low Millions.” (I died laughing when I saw that.) They also, unsurprisingly, have found God and Republicanism to their liking!
Since I’m a bit of a Heathen, mostly, I fit right in with my father’s side of the family! Happily and firmly in the fruits, nuts and flakes category. Although nothing brings me more fun than to be exceptionally happy living my “Oh My God, you’re doing WHAT!” lifestyle in the group of fundamentalists.
Concern for my soul is such a funny look to see on people’s faces!