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#Post#: 63773--------------------------------------------------
Say Whaaaat?
By: Lilipons Date: February 19, 2021, 5:34 pm
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This week we received a ‘Holiday letter’ from a nephew and his
wife. It’s a bit late for the usual year-end letter but right
on time for the Chinese New Year. The letter is very, very
weird. It’s the year of the ox but this family is glad they
don’t know any oxen because, “People like that don’t know how to
have any fun.”
I quote. “2020 was fantastic! Really, it was great, never had
more fun and adventure.” ???
This family consists of a Mom, a Dad and two College students.
They’re thrilled with spending 100 days together and taking all
their College courses on line. “It’s so much better than having
professors trying to tell you how to do things!”
They’re now going into their third 100 day party and there are
things in the letter that make me fear for their sanity. They
claim they’ve turned off the phones, radios and newspapers.
they’re only interested in “how much partying four people can do
after 9 months together.”
They live half way across the USA but I’m really concerned about
them. Does anyone have any ideas?
#Post#: 63774--------------------------------------------------
Re: Say Whaaaat?
By: chigger Date: February 19, 2021, 6:25 pm
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yes, that's pretty strange! I think I'd answer back "Glad
everything is going well for all of you." I would just leave it
at that.
#Post#: 63775--------------------------------------------------
Re: Say Whaaaat?
By: Rose Red Date: February 19, 2021, 7:40 pm
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Sounds like they don't miss dealing with people and happy to
work/school from home, and burned out by current events (turning
off news sources).
#Post#: 63776--------------------------------------------------
Re: Say Whaaaat?
By: oogyda Date: February 19, 2021, 8:51 pm
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Most "year in review" letters present things in the best light
possibke. Even if it's straining the truth a bit. I would take
it that they're trying to make it seem as if they are
flourishing in what can be trying times.
#Post#: 63777--------------------------------------------------
Re: Say Whaaaat?
By: NFPwife Date: February 19, 2021, 9:40 pm
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Sometimes positivity can touch onto delusional. My first thought
would be that they're being sarcastic; second, that they're
trying to put their best face on it; third, that they leaned
into the pandemic and made the best of it. I know some people,
personally and professionally, who enjoyed the time at home with
their spouses and families.
There are so many accounts of this being a tale of two
pandemics, some people haven't struggled as much as others.
Given the ages of their children, they might be doing okay. My
anecdotal evidence is the most stressed people have small
children and are trying to coach them through their virtual
learning while trying to work from home and manage all the
pieces of the pandemic restrictions.
My DH and I were talking about it and, while we definitely had
some moments (fortunately we stuck to our "rule" of only one of
us being crazy at a time) we're coming out of this pretty okay.
We determined early on that we weren't going to bitch about what
we couldn't do or were missing out on and instead figure out how
to make that happen in the current context. We've taken things
virtual, we found ways to get good workouts at home, etc. We
streamlined our grocery order so we can pickup groceries, for
about 3 weeks, for both our household and my FIL in two hours.
(Including travel time.) When this is over, we might keep that
process. (FIL likes going to the store with DH and they make an
event of it, so they might go back to that.) We also get along
well and laugh every single day.
And, honestly? I wouldn't put ANY of that in a holiday
newsletter because it just seems like bragging. I think they're
being a little tongue in cheek or trying too hard.
#Post#: 63780--------------------------------------------------
Re: Say Whaaaat?
By: LifeOnPluto Date: February 19, 2021, 10:15 pm
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How bizarre! My first thought - like PVZFan above - is that they
were trying to be being sarcastic/funny, but didn't pull it off.
If you're able to do so, I'd maybe reach out to the college-aged
kids, and see if they're going ok. It sounds perhaps like the
letter was written by the parents. I can't imagine any college
student being happy to be stuck at home with Mummy and Daddy for
9 months (let alone party with them), with no contact with the
outside world.
#Post#: 63845--------------------------------------------------
Re: Say Whaaaat?
By: sandisadie Date: February 22, 2021, 9:47 am
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I don't know about any of you, but this year has shown me that
there are far more weird and strange and ignorant people in the
world then I ever thought.
#Post#: 63846--------------------------------------------------
Re: Say Whaaaat?
By: Lilipons Date: February 22, 2021, 9:59 am
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I agree with you Sandisadie.
I think part of the problem is that people who seem perfectly
normal (or only agreeably quirky) under normal circumstances,
show a different side when circumstances are no longer normal.
I also don’t think this bunch is trying to be sarcastic or
ironic. They are among the most literal people I know. They
aren’t stupid but they do live on the Banks of Denial.
#Post#: 63849--------------------------------------------------
Re: Say Whaaaat?
By: Jem Date: February 22, 2021, 10:24 am
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To me this is comes across as obvious sarcasm. I personally
would probably have found it mildly amusing. At any rate, it
sounds like the OP is not particularly close with this family so
I would not take any efforts to express my concern if I were
her.
I am a person who enjoys sarcasm in the sense of humorous takes
on things/dry humor, and am always surprised when people take
things I say tongue in cheek at face value. I am guessing there
was something lost in translation between the letter writer and
the OP.
#Post#: 63851--------------------------------------------------
Re: Say Whaaaat?
By: Hmmm Date: February 22, 2021, 12:39 pm
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I agree it was probably a poor attempt at humor.
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