This year I am trying to decide whether to go to a particular Christmas party, where year after year, my uncle has to play out this hilarious joke where he shakes my hand and pretends he’s meeting me for the first time. Then, when I leave and offer a hug (my family are obligatory huggers upon both arrival and exit), he throws his hand out again for a shake, like I’m a stranger every year. It sounds like a silly problem, but we were close when I was a little kid. Now, I recognize that he doesn’t know how to interact with me as an adult, but the truth is that his love language doesn’t work for me and makes my inner child feel unwanted, like she grew up and suddenly became gross. One thing is for sure, I don’t want to cry driving home on Christmas this year! So thank you for the ideas on how to cope with these things. I promise to look out for myself if you do too. 🩵 Enjoy your Thanksgiving shenanigans!
Omg Tara stay at the Grand Californian. I stayed with girlfriends one year and it was the absolute best night ever. The fireplace alone!!!
PS- I booked it!
So excited for you!
Thank you for pushing me in this direction!
This year I am trying to decide whether to go to a particular Christmas party, where year after year, my uncle has to play out this hilarious joke where he shakes my hand and pretends he’s meeting me for the first time. Then, when I leave and offer a hug (my family are obligatory huggers upon both arrival and exit), he throws his hand out again for a shake, like I’m a stranger every year. It sounds like a silly problem, but we were close when I was a little kid. Now, I recognize that he doesn’t know how to interact with me as an adult, but the truth is that his love language doesn’t work for me and makes my inner child feel unwanted, like she grew up and suddenly became gross. One thing is for sure, I don’t want to cry driving home on Christmas this year! So thank you for the ideas on how to cope with these things. I promise to look out for myself if you do too. 🩵 Enjoy your Thanksgiving shenanigans!
Jordan, how powerful that you recognize this and that it's NOT silly, it's your truth. Do you have a plan for how you will deal with him/this moment?