Family

I've been lucky enough to have parents who have always cared for me. I realize that's not always the case for everyone. Far too many children (and some people who are currently adults) won't ever understand the importance of family.

My family is truly why I am here. If I didn't have my mom's love and affection, combined with my fathers love and support, I'm not sure where I would have ended up.

Honestly, that thought is quite scary to me.

I have been confronted recently with some awkward family issues, to say the least.

The first is with my boyfriend, Shane. With his family history, its not as though he hates his mother ( although I wouldn't necessarily blame him), but at the same time also he's not going out of his way to be in constant contact with her. He had very supportive and nurturing step parents that were able to guide his way.

I am being drawn into the situation for a couple of reasons: I am with him, and his mother has a facebook account.

Shane, unfortunately has shunned facebook for whatever reason. He's just not really into the notion of it.

I originally didnt have a problem with her being my friend. Every once in a while I'd get a message from her. Nothing too harmful, right?

Then I was getting a daily comment from her. Under "normal" circumstances, this wouldn't be the worst thing ever, but knowing her history with him, I don't care for her to appear to be all over me. That is why I had to delete her. I'm all for keeping in touch with family and loving family and all that. It just feels as though something is amiss with this situation. I am also of the opinion that its his decision how he handles it.

And then the fun that is my grandmother.

Ever since I can rememeber, we've had interesting situations with my maternal grandmother. We've been chalking it up to the fact that she is just a bitter woman, and doesn't understand somethings.

Recently, I was my mom's shoulder to lean on in regards to this. My grandmother has had some health issues recently, which my mom was there to help out for.

Listening to my mom vent about some of the behaviors and comments taht were made, I couldn't help but wonder some things.

I told my mom that had I been spoken to in that matter, I would have had to say something back. I also told her, although I wasn't trying to pick on her, I think the fact that so many people have said so little for so long have made my grandma think that its okay.

She's downright rude. Telling my cousin that her daughter hadn't started walking at a certain point because of the size of her ankles is disguisting.

I guess my question to the public is, how should this be handled? I'm all for free speech as much as (if not more than) the next guy, but I don't comprehend how someone can speak this way to family one moment, then the next be confused as to why that family member doesn't call as much.

Any ideas?