Tucky

When my oldest son Frank, who is 8, was younger, his speech wasnt great. Like most kids. Instead of saying turkey, he said tucky. Well, it stucky. My oldest brother and his family thought it was the funniest thing they ever heard. To this day, when my brother see my son, he says "Hey Frank, wants some tucky!". My son hates it. He asks me why his uncle likes to tease him. "I dont know," I answer, "its how its always been in our family"

True...it HAS always been that way. It was like growing up with the Marx Brothers. My oldest brother Joe, was Groucho. The middle brother, Patrick, was Chico. The youngest, who is still older than me, Jimm, was Harpo. It was a constant stream of antics, barbs, jabs, zingers, and one liners. That can do a lot to a kids psyche. Especially an only girl in a house full of boys.

I wasnt the most graceful of girls. I wasnt the skinniest of girls, still not. I was a tom boy as well. So I was the perfect fodder for the jokes my brothers would tell. Their friends would join in as well. It was funny. They laughed. I didn't. When I complained or cried, I was told, "If you want to hang around with the boys you have to get used to it." Or, "Well, then stay away from them!" It really wasnt so easy because I was out numbered. It was hard to deal with. But I had no choice. So, I ate. I stuffed all of that down with food. I know that now, but at the time, that cake always tasted so good and made me feel better.

Now I see this happening to my kids, at the hand of the same three that did it to me. Granted, my youngest older brother isnt here enough to do any damage per se. But the other two are. Uncle Patrick has actually calmed down. My kids LOVE their Uncle Patrick. He takes them places, he tells them jokes, he buys them great Christmas presents. Uncle Patrick is what an uncle should be. Thank goodness. Uncle Joe, he wants to be that uncle. But my kids are scared of him. They are afraid they will be 'pantsed', a favorite trick of my brothers. They are afraid they will be made fun of. They are afraid they will be made the brunt of the jokes.

I want to go on record saying that I, personally, have NEVER done that to any of my brothers children. I would not do that. I have been there and know what it feels like. Its not fun and its not fair.

So, this Holiday, we will be spending it with my family, but not my oldest brother. In part to do with another situation I am having with his family, that I refuse to comment on. But also, because my kids dont eat "tucky" any more. They eat Turkey.