I've just been kicked from my family's Xmas because I want to bring

a homeless vet to dinner with me.

Here's the unbelievable part: They want to know if I am still bringing the Turkey.

I am.

I am so fucking sick over this.

You're better off with the homeless veteran this Christmas!

These are the people who taught me to act this way and now I feel it was all a lie.

How sad for you. :pals:

They might re-learn something. ;-)

It isn't/wasn't a lie. Please keep on being the kind-hearted soul that you are.

It will be a difficult personal decision as to how far you want to push this.

Me - I'd insist that my friend be able to come or I would meet up with the family. But that is just me.

I just talked with my fundie sister (who I still love) and told her of the situatuion...

She is being as middle of the road as one could get.

I'm getting sadder by the moment.

But, I'm going to feel better in the end.

(I hope)

want the vet there. Did they explain WHY (since they taught you to be generous)?

Make a statement. Stand up for what's right! I hope everyone can get something from the "Christmas Spirit" thing. Otherwise, they're all fucking hopeless hypocrites.

Kudos to you. You rock!

:yourock:

:hi:

Then Doyle and I will go to a restaurant and have dinner.

I am at a quandry as to what to do next. I suppose I am going to try to take him to a VA hospital even though that's not what he wants according to him before he went to bed.

But if he's an alcoholic(and I suspect he is...), I can tell you that going there is a decision you cannot force.

But you can offer him every assistance, in any case.

and soul. I am so, so sorry that your family reacted this way. Please enjoy your Christmas with this brave soul and have faith that your family will understand,in time, that the gesture of kindness and consideration they experiences is everything they instilled in you and they should be very very proud.O8)

May you find joy in your heart this Christmas. I hope tomorrow brings some peace for you. I hope your family has many days and months of dealing with their conscience over their decision. Bless you and your heartfelt desire to help someone. Most of all I hope your new found friend finds what he needs .. it looks like he's off to a good start.


sincerely
wishing you a VERY Merry Christmas.

AuntAgonist.
aka Kesha

for what your doing. I'm suprised you are still taking the turkey, your a bigger man then I. I say "tea bag" the turkey a few times before you drop it off...just kidding....maybe...

Cook that turkey, and have a wonderful dinner with you and your guest, and then let him have the leftovers. That would send a VERY clear message to your family.
You rock!

...I WOULD go tell my family to piss off. What happened to the spirit of Christmas???

The decision that has to be made really sucks.

If I wasn't welcome at a dinner, I would assume that my turkey wasn't welcome, either.

I simply cannot imagine cooking for people who won't let me stay and eat what I've cooked. I wouldn't cook for someone who treated me like that. I'm all for killing people with kindness, and turning the other cheek and all that, but in this instance, I'd feel that handing over a turkey is to also hand over all my power. Even Jesus didn't do that.

I love the idea of making the turkey and sharing with the person/people who actually appreciate you and want to be with you.

to your bringing this person?

I guess they didn't want the real world staring them down on Christmas.

Is this some kind of fear response? Fear does make people act in funny ways sometimes...

I am sorry you are feeling this way, and I do hope you can resolve it with a minimum of pain.

Peace to you.


Laura

it sounds like you are the only one in your family who truly understands what that means. You have a wonderful time. :hug:

and then introduce him. . .eat turkey, etc.

dp

I was just going to post the same thing!

"for whenever you do it to the least of these (who are my family), you do it to me." (Matthew 25:40)

?that most don't want to get past the "me" part?


peace,
dp

It's one thing to care for someone who meets certain, shall we say, "standards." But when someone is REALLY down on their luck, we turn away. It's too scary to see poverty and hunger, especially when it's right in your dining room. That's too close for comfort.

That's why the Salvation Army puts kettles out - so people can give, and feel good about it. But the downside is that many people never see the people they help.

When I lived in Eau Claire (WI), I went to the local shelter. Young families, single moms with one or two children - people who had virtually nothing, just trying to survive. THESE are the people Jesus cares about - and they are the people the rest of us ignore.

When people stop and think, they realize that they themselves are about one or two paychecks from being in the same place.

We have room at our table. I am a vet myself. Los Angeles area.

Spaghetti and Meatballs and chili and some ham and sweet taters and LOTS of Christmas cookies.......

Hard call to make, since you don't want to have your guest feel unwanted or out of place. Better a peaceful meal in an accepting place with one person than surrounded by strife and plenty and many.

Hebrews ( bible book) says to be careful how we entertain strangers; some have entertained angels unaware....

Christmas day.

Merry Christmas.

I am so sorry that your family cannot open their hearts to walk the talk about helping the poor. Sure for them it's OK to help but not in their house.

I say keep the turkey at your place and have a special Christmas this year. You are doing a noble gesture by opening your heart. That is what the season is about, giving of one's self.

He's on his way to the Birmingham VA now.

Your messages brought tears to my eyes.

Thank you, all.