Bucking a family get together.

[Felix The Assassin]

If anybody gives a rats arse!

So, that old woman in Tampa is calling for her children to gather around (again).

Long story made short:
I'm number 5 of five. (There is one half-brother, still serving USN, not included).
I joined the Army @ 18 and stayed until 43.
1985 I left Germany, 1986 #2 and #4 with families took Dad and Ma to England.

1994 Dad passed, whole family gathered.

1994 I left Germany, 1995 #2, #4 with family took Ma to Italy.

#1 Corporate lawyer, CPA, Blue with a cross and a shield, Alexandria, VA (the only blood male without military service when the nation was in need, freaking pansy ass liberal, out-cast).
#2 Retired special needs educator. (USN: USS Iwo Jima 1968-1971)
#3 Care provider at a mental asylum ward in GA.
#4 PhD special needs educator, Denver Co.
#5 Retired military, grad student (MBA), training analyst US Army, Ft. Knox, KY.

#3 Calls every year, but does not visit.
1999 Road trip my family to Fl for Turkey day. (Thought about not returning)
2000 Only 2,4 & 5 met in FL, spent 5 days on the beach with Ma. (Agreed to return)
2004 Road trip my family to Fl for Turkey day. (Vowed to never return with family)
2005 #4 went to Fl solo.
2006 #2 went to Fl solo.
2007 #1 called Fl. (First contact since Dad passed).
2008 #2 Planned a long range trip to Fl (first time ever planned)
2009 #2, #4, solo, and other family members traverse to Fl to see Ma in the Spring.
2009 #5 breaks to increased pressure, and travels to Fl with daughter element. (WILL NEVER RETURN - funeral)!
2010 # 2 Plans short range trip to Fl, #4 jumps on band wagon, extended family jumps, my uncle who is brother to Ma, calls says he will drive, meet him at cousins house, all three of us can travel in his overly large Caddy!

2010 #5 made clear and concise statement to all parties concerned, WILL NOT TRAVEL!

She is old and helpless (all motor skills work, all physical skills work, (LAZY)) has been helpless all of her life. Yes, she had servants in the early days. She has put two men in the ground, both of which did everything that needed to be done.

#2 and #4 have skills in this area, and treat her like a 5-7 yr old. She loves it. I refuse.

Realistically, the week "they" are to meet, is my most busiest, we are validating POI for a new course, Army Research Institute (ARI) will be on hand, all of my instructors have been denied leave and pass privileges, and "they" can't figure out why I'm so hard headed about not going to Fl!

[Wolf Rider2]

So will you regret it if you don't see them? It doesn't sound like you will. If you won't regret it, don't waste your time on them. You clearly have more important things to be doing .

[Timber Loftis]

Sounds to me like somebody needs to reconnect with their family and quit being such a grumpalumpus.

But I understand where you're coming from, family is very hard to tolerate.

[ElfBane]

It didn't bother me to turn prodigal. Younger brother stayed in Memphis with her after I joined the Navy. It's not like I 'never' went back, but the trips were short. The last couple years before she passed Mom was rather unpleasant, so I have some empathy.