Wednesday 16 October 2013

Letter To Mother-In-Law

I have come to the conclusion that you are indeed a vampire. If I were to hold a mirror up to you, you would see nothing, for that is how things appear to you.  


Nothing is ever your fault. It's always nothing to do with you. You have nothing to be blamed for and you've done nothing wrong.  


This inability to examine yourself is deeply disturbing. It leads to a feeling of invincibility, superiority and a complete detachment from any accountability.  It gives you, or rather you allow it to give you a carte blanche for any behaviour you like, no matter how outrageous, unreasonable or obnoxious, for after all you are beyond self awareness unlike us mere mortals... 


You are, in your eyes, utterly blameless in every situation and thus can confidently boast


"It's nothing to do with me."  


"I've done nothing wrong."  


"I don't see why I should suffer."  


And yet in reality it's all about you...  You've done your time, put in the hard work, given your service to humanity, and now, at your age, you demand your rightful reward.   The world owes you a living and by god you'll take everything that's going.  You'll make sure you squeeze every last drop of effort from those around you to wait on you hand and foot and attend to your every need...  


And in return?   


Well, you don't owe anyone anything do you? Why should you? How dare they suggest you actually care about anyone other than yourself...  


No, you have it all worked out. You see, you know that people are not on your level of intelligence and guile don't you?  They'll be easily fooled by a few sweet words of phoney appreciation and the odd plastic smile of compliance.  


But you know differently. You know it's all a game to get what you want and you love playing this game don't you?


Except, the game is over now...  


Your mask has slipped.  The real you is on show.  And it's not a pretty sight. In fact, it's repulsive.  


You see, no-one likes a fraud. No-one likes a fake. No-one likes a person who is so selfish, so self absorbed that everything they do and say is designed to get what they want at someone else's expense.  


Especially one for whom nothing is ever good enough...  


"The day's half over..."  


"I didn't get staying long today"  


"Someone bought me this, I don't like it"  


"I don't think I'm wanted"  


And so on...  


All about you...  


No-one else comes on your horizon. Least of all your daughter...  


Someone who has gone out of her way to look after your well being.  


Someone who has sacrificed her time, effort, health and self to make sure your needs are met.  


For zero thanks.  


After all, that's what daughters are supposed to do isn't it? 


Or is it?  


It doesn't matter anyway, it's what you expect that counts, isn't it?  How dare she expect any warmth from you back as her mother? After all it's her duty to look after you...  


She shouldn't have to expect you to acknowledge or remember her birthday, surely?  Of course not, you're nearly eighty. The brain shuts down doesn't it? Next thing you'll be forgetting your son's coming over on Thursday and you're being whisked off to Dublin to be wined and dined,  


Over your daughter's birthday...  


I'll finish now, as I've already wasted enough of my time as your friend, butler, chauffeur, cook, listening ear, entertainer etc...  


You see, life is precious. It's fleeting. It's far too short to waste with people who sap your energy, who drain you without thanks, playing little games to get what they want all the time, all the while looking down their noses with a feeling of smug superiority.  


People like you...


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