QotD: Family Matters
What is your "role" in your family?
I have several roles, depending on the scope/definition of 'family' used.
In my immediate family, I am The Intelligent Daughter: I have an unparalleled relationship with my mother, am a point of potential bragging for my step-dad, and the older sister that apparently casts a long and depressing shadow over my brother (which I am reminded of constantly, like I planned it that way).
In my extended family, on my mother's side, I am The Favorite Grandchild and the Uniter of Generations: I am like my grandparents' 5th child, the first birth in the family after their youngest son. I am the common thread that unites the 18 people who show up to Christmas dinner--they have watched me grow from an infant, or they have known me from the time they were old enough to *know* someone and I watched them grow.
**Now, of course, I am "the family's doctor," which opens a whole new can of ethical worms. But they're pretty cute about it.**
On my step-dad's side, I am The Outsider. I do not share the name, I do not share the genes (i.e., I'm the fat one). And it's painfully apparent. By virtue of age alone, I am the second physician of 2 grandchildren, so I, of course, stole the idea from Ryan....forget the fact that I was saying I wanted to be a doctor 12 years before he decided that would be a lucrative enough career. I am also the second Lacey in the family. So, I'm fairly worthless--all of my potential roles have been filled. Which is okay with me; I have to spend less time being completely awkward and fishing for anything relevant to discuss with them.
In Greg's family, I am..... The Ambitious and Educated Daughter-In-Law-to-Be? I can keep up with Uncle Ted's dirty dinner conversations; I can talk to Lynne and Shirley about general domestic-ness; I don't take any crap off of Delbert (but generally make him laugh while I'm doing it); and I represent the promise of future grandchildren/great-grandchildren. Pretty sweet, right?
