Comments on: Guess Who’s Coming to Thanksgiving Dinner (It’s Charlie)

By: like a rabid squirrel

like a rabid squirrel — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:32:12 +0000

Very late to the game on this one because of a Thanksgiving communication blackout, but this was great and hit very close to home. I have a half-brother who’s been struggling with what sounds like a similar degree of mental illness, and until he moved out of state recently holidays frequently went more or less like the one you describe. It’s so hard because holidays feel like they should be about family, but also they’re a time to be happy and enjoy each other’s company, and it was so clear in these situations that neither my family nor my brother were enjoying themselves, just getting by for the sake of propriety until some inevitable blow-out.

By: TARDIStime

TARDIStime — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 03:04:26 +0000

@TARDIStime Dear God, I sound like a lower-middle-class parent shipping their child off to university with nothing but student welfare and their wits to support them…

By: aetataureate

aetataureate — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 02:59:56 +0000

This is just wonderful. How sad he is, and what a mystery.

By: TARDIStime

TARDIStime — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 01:34:13 +0000

This hit a little close to home for me as someone who has been supporting her mum financially for over 2 years now, even though she isn’t mentally ill (she gets depressed sometimes, but she’s no Charlie).
Mr TARDIStime and I are striking out on our own in just over a week and he’s completely, adorably excited (his sleep has been so, so fitful since we were approved for our apartment, he’s THAT excited) and I’m feeling so, so horrible, but I really don’t know how much more I can give after paying out our lease’s term without help and making it clear that the bond can be fully refunded to her to help her on her way to her next apartment/get her through Christmas.

By: AnnieNilsson

AnnieNilsson — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 21:35:02 +0000

@faustbanana I agree with both of those statements. This is fantastic.

By: Dont Move to Finland

Dont Move to Finland — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:47:55 +0000

Commiseration! What the internet is partly for, excluding the most obvious reason that wouldn’t be on the Billfold anyhow.

By: Dont Move to Finland

Dont Move to Finland — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:39:59 +0000

I have a much sweeter but still smelly and undiagnosed uncle. I was really feeling this story. When you got to the part where he was so fit except his excessive drinking brought a belly, I was completely hooked. My uncle drank so much beer and ate so terribly that he ended up with serious kidney disease. Now my mom and aunt take him to dialysis and my mom cleans his house and laundry. Illinois used to subsidize her where the gas money & laundry costs at least so she broke even. They eliminated the subsidy a few years ago.
My mom used to tell us kids to “Go outside and get the stink off of you!” One time she admitted this is what her mom would say to her brother. Amusing, sad and slightly insulting to me and my sister, but that’s my family for you.

By: Bill Fostex

Bill Fostex — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 19:02:57 +0000

@faustbanana Thanks, ‘nana.

By: faustbanana

faustbanana — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:49:05 +0000

William Foster, I like you, and I really like your writing.

By: 3jane

3jane — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 18:47:28 +0000

This is really great and sad. ALSO, another notch in the “amazing perfect accompanying pictures” column.