THE 'BLACK SHEEP' OF THE FAMILY

Hey there sagacious reader.  Brace yourselves.  I have some shocking news. You may want to sit down for this.  Unless, of course, you are sitting down.  Ready?  All right, here goes.  (drum roll, please)   I have been considered by some as the 'black sheep' of my family. Unbelievable, right? But true. Of course I do come from a mostly conservative family, (how the heck did that happen?) so I suppose it's understandable that I would be the one who stood out from the crowd. That's ok.  I can take it. I mean someones got to keep the family gatherings interesting.


However, there is one member of my extended family who should be considered the blackest of all the black sheep even by the most conservative of my family (and you know who you are).  Whereas I may be a little 'colorful' at times, basically I'm a nice (if somewhat cranky) person.  I try to do right by those around me.  Most of the time I think I'm successful.  (Don't listen to my family, they don't know anything!)  ;-)

Now most families, I'm pretty sure, have a character or two that do not quite fit into the family photo album the way the rest of the clan does.  This is normal, right?  But every now and then something goes horribly wrong and the family is stuck with someone who not only doesn't fit into the album but makes the family want to burn the whole damn thing! And, sadly, that is the case with me and mine.

I will mention no names here although I'm sure this 'sheep' would never recognize himself in this narrative.  To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure he would even get beyond the word 'sagacious'.  Though he would like the picture.  Not the sharpest tool in the shed.  However, it's the way he treats his children that has incurred my wrath.  Justifiably so.  And here's why.  His children never (and I mean never) come first.  They fall somewhere on his list of priorities below the latest computer and electronic games.  (I think he gets that from his mom.)

This particular 'sheep' works full-time at the same job he has held for many years (amazing) but never seems to have the money necessary to buy his kids luxury items such as clothing, decent food, school supplies, personal hygiene products, etc. You get the picture.  Yet he shares a house with two other (somewhat functioning) adults so his part of the rent should be reasonable. His TV, phone and electric services have been shut off numerous times for 'lack of payment'.  And I don't know how many cars he's had repoed over the years. I mean, really. Who lives like that? Can you say, irresponsible? Immature? Selfish?  Yes to all of the above.  The man (boy) needs to grow the f*** up!

Now I've never been a big one on 'growing up'.  It's not all it's cracked up to be; tends to suck all the fun out of life.  But really, there is a limit.  You have to be responsible for yourself and your children.  Otherwise, what the hell good are ya?  There are too many parasites in the world as it is.  We don't need any more.

So, to all of you, whether or not you are the 'black sheep' of the family; you who do not or will not take responsibility for the fundamental welfare of your children; you who will not put their needs above your own, I most vehemently say BITE ME!