Sunday Rituals

Every Sunday I have to call my parents at home. Usually about 7pm, unless I have a good excuse in which case I will get it over with earlier. If I try to call on a Saturday though, even if they are both available, they ask me if I can call back on Sunday. There's no way out of it. Its a very stressful call for me, and it usually lasts an hour or so. Some people ask why I do it if its so taxing, but my parents are in their early to mid 70s and it would be mean to stop doing it now. My father really seems to count on it. When I had an office job, if I hadn't made the call on the Sunday because of travel or other valid reasons, he would call my office line at 9am on the Monday to aggressively inquire why I hadn't called in. So to give you some example of why these calls can be so hard (sometimes they go especially well, usually if I had been drinking) here's a sampling of the conversation.

Dad: Hello.
E: Hello, how are you?
Dad: I'm breathing.
E: That's good news.
...
Dad: Well, I think this will be our last trip overseas.
E: That's an uplifting thought.
Dad: I don't mean anything by it, just saying we probably won't go away again. We're too old.
(This was also his sunny disposition going in for his latest colonoscopy - he figured he would be dead before the next due date so it would be the last time he'd have to do it.)
...
Dad: So, whats going on with the car? (He only asks because he is hoping something is wrong with it. Seriously.)
E: Its fine, I think I'm going to take it to Michigan this weekend.
Dad: You what? Jesus Mary and Joseph that car is not going to make it. [Raises voice in anxiety] What do you mean you're taking it to Michigan?
E: You know, I'm sorry I said anything.
Dad: Don't be sorry, what you should be is worried. I don't know why you don't get a new car.
E: Don't worry about the car!
...
Mom: Are you going to take the megabus home?
E: That would be about 14 hours in a bus for a weekend. I don't think so.
Mom: What do you care you don't have a job.
E: But that takes time away that I could be spending with you.
Mom: But you don't have a job do you?
E: So I should sit on a bus for 14 hours?
...

The rest of the conversation is interspersed with praise and/or worry about my brother (including what he had for dinner that night and how he liked it), details on investment club, golfing, yard and housework. I have learned to keep my prospects and ideas close to heart, because if they get wind of something they will ask about it and harp and basically ruin things that may or may not be long term for me. So every time they try to grill me on my work situation, I just turn the conversation back to Ohio weather. It seems to be keeping me sane on some level. That and a glass of wine on Sunday nights will get me through it.

E

Comments

[MB]

Ah, the call to the fam. Such fun. Did I tell you my mom keeps referring to me as Meagan Hansen and talks about Matt as her son-in-law. We aren't even married yet! My dad also seemed to make a point of NOT introducing us to people he ran into while in our company in public. Oh the shame of knocked-up, unwed daughter!

[E.]

Thank you Meg for putting it all in perspective for me. You always got this part!

[Jen]

I've been there when you've made this call! The alcohol is key...deep down it's a very sweet ritual. You capture them well. (and I've never even met them!)

It takes 14 hours? I took the megabus to Detroit and it took 5...hmmm....Methinks you exaggerate. :) XO

[E.]

Well I know its 6 hours in a car, plus a stop in Toledo or something...so I figured 14 hours total - for one weekend! That's like half a day all together.