I am the oldest of the grandkids on my dad’s side of the family. I can’t remember my age, but I was still young enough to want a Happy Meal when we went to McDonald’s. My Grandmother and Aunt, whomever I was with at the time, would take the toy out of my Happy Meal and said it’s for one of the younger kids.

When my parents divorced, I was twelve, I had to start dealing with Grandmother saying, “If you don’t come see me, then you don’t get Christmas.” Can you imagine what that does to a kid?

During my visits to Grandmother’s house, I would get teased or so I thought was teased at the time. It was nothing to be told that you’re fat, gosh you’ve gained weight, you’ve got pimples, zits. I would also get hounded, “Where’s your father? He’s suppose to be here this weekend.” I answered one time, “I don’t know Grandma! He gets visitation once a month and he doesn’t even do that.” I never heard anything good, no praises.

It took me coming home from the military to see, I mean really see, that side of the family. After meeting my husband, we went to Grandmother’s house. Three of the kids, my husband and myself. I remember it started spitting snow and we all helped bring in wood for her fireplace. I remember Grandmother saying something to the kids, but can’t remember exactly now. I do know it was to the tune of what I’ve always heard. And I thought to myself “I don’t want that for our kids. They are not going to be treated that way.” I had a talk with my husband and we left and never went back.

When Grandpa Forrester passed away and it came time for the, formerly known as my Aunt, Uncles and my father to go through his possesions, my father and Uncle Jackie asked me to come along so I could help load the things they wanted. Uncle Jackie was wheel chair bound and my father was only suppose to lift 10lbs, doctors orders. I went along. After the whole going through everything was done the Aunt announced that she’ll get the grandkids together and have them pick out what they want specifically stating I’m not to be apart of it since I was there that day.

At the graveside of Grandpa Forrester’s funeral someone put a spray of flowers on the casket. After the funeral everyone went their own way. We were heading home and I noticed the Aunt behind us. I thought she’s probably going to her daughter’s house a block away from my house. The next day my father calls me asking about the flowers on the casket. I said I don’t have them, have no idea who has them. Come to find out Aunt was telling everyone that my husband and I stole the spray of flowers. I called the Aunt and told her she can come look through my whole house but after that she’s not welcome anymore.