Monday, December 1, 2008

I don't understand

My mother has made a very strange request.

She wants a picture of Einstein and I for the family Christmas letter.

She wants a picture of Einstein and I where he ISN'T in uniform.

Uhm?

I'm trying to understand this request. It wouldn't be a problem, except for the unfortunate fact that other than pictures where he is in uniform, the only pictures we have of the past year are ones where either one of us (or both of us) is inebriated or where I look hideous. Truly awful.

So I told her I didn't have a photo of us that fit her requirements, and asked if I could just send her one with him in uniform.

She said no, she wanted one that was about "our" life and not "his" life.

WHAT? This IS my life. This is OUR life. The military is not some strange hobby of his; it is our life. Yes, I have my own career, my own hobbies. But seriously...I just don't get it.

My mom is not anti-military. She has never seemed to have a problem like this one in the past. I know she is frustrated because most of the pictures that I send are of him with planes, but honestly, that's what we take pictures of! Sorry! That and cheesy shots of my Christmas tree, but whatever.

I don't know if anyone has any insights; I'm not sure what to think.

2 comments:

The Mrs. said...

I think I get where your mom is coming from. For our wedding (six years ago this month)flyboy had one request, no uniforms, no military things, even though he and all the groomsmen were Marines. He wanted a day that was just us and that the military wasn't involved in. I kinda wanted the whole military thing but I had to respect where he was coming from and looking back I actually understand it. Maybe your mom wants a picture of just you two as just you two. I know the military is part of your life, as its part of ours, but just like on our wedding day flyboy just wanted to be HIM not the Marine, maybe your mom just wants the plain old boring yall : )

But then again, what do I know!

Lindsay Gray said...

I get it, but it would still annoy me.

I have one friend who is in the marines who is very "Being a marine is my job, not my life". Some people make it an "identifier" of who they are, some people don't. Maybe your mom is one of those people who don't see it as an identifier. If that even makes sense....