Not really a nightmare
But the tradition of It's a Wonderful Life is getting phased out and replaced by attending mass (and family mass at that). Which is odd since the folks are barely religious and my brother and I abandoned the Catholics and organised religion ages ago. I can't really forgive my mom for having a greater interest in family mass than family movie. At least my brother made one time memorable.One of the cult leaders from Sunday school was going around with a mike, asking the kids up front what a birthday was. My brother muttered loud enough for our pew to hear, "it's another year closer to death." My parents and I were overcome by fits of stifled laughter.

Then every year my grandma on mom's side has a family gathering of all of her children and their children. Take note my mother (and father) has a doctorate and she is the only member of her family to attend college. One of my uncles has actually been dubbed 'Uncle Cliff' after Cliff Claven of Cheers. Many jokes are quietly made at my relatives' expense, despite their good nature, and as amusing Nascar uncles, trampy cousins, and aunts with mild cases of soccer mom syndrome can be, you just want to get the hell out of there by evening's end.
(DeadCats, Fri 24 Dec 2004, 7:24, Reply)