Wacko Family Gathering, Anyone?

[sugarbaby]

Okay, so the actual gathering wasn't wacko, just the guest list (and I was related to most of the people on that list!).

DH and I traveled this weekend to my dad's home, where there was a barbecue in honor of his 60th birthday. We really enjoyed ourselves, but check out a sampling of the guest list:

1) Dad
2) Dad's ex-wife #1 (divorced 30 years)
3) Dad's ex-wife #2 (my mom, divorced 12 years; ended up not coming at the last minute, I think because of guest #4)
4) Dad's ex-girlfriend, whom he started dating the about the same week that he and my mother separated
5) Dad's younger sister of whom I have no recollection because the last time I saw her I was about 5; because she had several children by several men and lived a lifestyle that you would hardly want your child growing up around, Dad distanced himself and me from her.
6) Children of #5, who were surprised that I didn't remember them when I haven't seen them in over 25 years.
7) Other "normal" family members who I know (e.g., half siblings, neices and nephews).

Anyone else have wacko family gatherings? Either strange guest lists or stories?

[funnybone]

Nothing too wacko with my family gatherings. I was just curious who did the inviting? :confused:

[Terri_A]

Doesn't everybody have a family like that???? I thought that was normal!!!

[mmbedard]

A couple of years ago, my cousin got married. We couldn't figure out why her dad was even more hyper than normal, until we checked out his table:

1) my uncle
2) his first ex-wife and her girlfriend
3) the mother of his second child, who is the sister of #2 and her boyfriend
4) the mother of his third child, who is the sister of his sister-in-law, and her boyfriend
5) the mother of his fourth child, whom he was married to.

He has since divorced #5 and married #3.

How's that for wacko :rolleyes:

[Canice]

I'm not sure I even followed it, mmbedard, and that had me literally laughing out loud :p :p That was wonderful.

[ErinM]

I know I couldn't follow it!

I guess weirdest for me, (not really weird, I don't have a problem with it, it's just interesting): My biological father will be attending my (step) sister's wedding. Her dad is married to my mom!

[stefania4]

This reminds me of the family pictures from our wedding reception!
a) The divorced-for-30-years, both-remarried grandparents barely consented to be in the same room, never mind the same frame of film.
b) Sis isn't in the pictures at all; she flew in, stayed at the reception for 3 hours and flew back out.
c) My dad was physically present in the state of Georgia, but his chain-smoking self barely set foot in the reception because he was constantly outside smoking. They left right away - heaven forbid he take a day off of work for his daughter's wedding reception.
d) The divorced grandparents were also extremely miffed that my uncle wasn't invited. Um, he hasn't spoken a word to the family since my aunt (grandparents' daughter) died in '91, and I had to do a Google search to track down my cousin to tell her about a death in the family a few years ago. They should be invited?

Ahh, families...

[wallycat]

We socialize with my DH's ex-wife and ex-girlfriend all the time, but rarely will the two ladies be together at the same time. Me, I figure it says a lot about my DH that they all still want to be friends.

[sugarbaby]

Nothing too wacko with my family gatherings. I was just curious who did the inviting? :confused:

My DAD did the inviting! He's a pretty laid-back guy, so he couldn't understand why my mom didn't want to come. Just like he was hurt when she didn't invite him to her second wedding. :confused:

mmbedard and stefania4...those are hilarious!