My Duty to My Family

Last November my family and I celebrated thanksgiving at my grandmother’s home in New Jersey. It was a joy to see all of the faces of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings all together in one place. We sang songs and recounted stories about one another. Many of the stories included facts that were best left forgotten.

The tone in the room shifted, however, when my uncle Arthur walked through the door. The excitement dissipated and it was replaced with pity.

Many family members began to murmur about uncle Arthur’s financial situation. That is, some family member discussed their discontent with uncle Arthur. He chose not to accept money from family when he lost his job last year. He, instead, chose to work two jobs and rectify his situation on his on. When asked, at the dinner table, “Why did you refuse our help?” Uncle Arthur launched into a tirade that went as follows:

“Had I accepted your assistance (part of your savings) what would I really be saying? What am I saying about my trips to Vegas, my trips to Montreal, my Friday night steaks, my Brooks Brothers suites, and my automobile? All of that would have partly been financed by you! That's right...I would have taken your trips, worn your suits, and driven your car. Those were partly your things, but you never got to enjoy them. No, no, no! I consumed those things. Therefore, I should pay for them.”

When uncle Arthur finished talking, I sat in my chair looking at my plate; I asked myself, “did uncle Arthur have a point?”