ugh

[flea]

Just got a note in the mail from my dotty (great-) aunt Nancy. While she is 80, she has always been this dotty; she is estranged from her son and his family and her daughter moved to England to get away from her.

I quote, in full:

We enjoyed + saved the Christmas 2007 picture - lovely family - I would like to know does [Dillo Middlename] drink from his silver cup? We never [double underlined] heard - did you like it? I would like some acknowledgement of this gift - I was chagrined! I know you are busy with two children + a job + daily routine - your Mom kept telling me how badly you wanted a silver cup though I had already sent you a birthing check. Anyway forget it and send me a nice picture of [Dillo] holding his cup + I shall be happy! [Her daughter + husband] are off to Sicily for spring break + walking tour of the island - Hope all is well with you four.

Sincerely, Nancy [Lastname]

Note that the card reads, "Hope happiness blossoms wherever your sunny self goes today" and she has written in "+ all SPRING." I guess they don't make sprightly Easter cards with inscriptions about recriminations for non-thank-you-note-writing relatives.

I also note that I wrote a thank-you note for the check she sent when Dillo was born, and didn't realize the silver cup, which was sent by my mother, was supposed to be a gift from her. I suppose in the interest of being polite to one's dotty elderly relatives, I need to write her an apologetic thank-you note. Thank god she's not my mother and I only have to deal with her every couple of years.

Comments

[cofax7]

You know, there's a tactful way to inquire if a gift was ever received. ("Hey, we sent a package last May, and I never heard: did the post office mis-deliver it? Please let me know so I can try to track it down or order another one?")

And then there's your great-aunt Nancy.

Oy.