Holiday Crazy 2021, part 5.

   With today being the end of 2021, I believe/hope/pray that this is the last incident of Holiday Crazy 2021 that we'll have to talk about.

  Girlfriend messaged me on Christmas Eve saying she was hurt/upset because she was putting everyone's stockings together when Son walked in and commented that next year, they ought to buy more gifts because The Ex "goes nuts on Christmas and gets a lot of presents."  Girlfriend was upset because she's the one who had gone out shopping and bought everything; she felt like Son was insulting her and/or comparing her to The Ex.  I told Girlfriend that it's all about money with The Ex; I said it's not about what you bought or how much you spent, that's not the reason we have Christmas.  I also told her that Son was probably more comparing himself as a parent to The Ex more than comparing her to The Ex.  I said Son probably feels like he's "failing" because he "didn't do as much as The Ex did."  Girlfriend said she understood that because The Ex "makes sure she lets you know how much she spent on you every year" and that "it's like she thinks that if she spends more she will love and be loved more" and unfortunately, Girlfriend said that she feels that's how Son feels now, too.  We talked a bit more about The Ex being toxic and how we both hoped Son could get away from her a little bit to clear his mind out and see things better.  Girlfriend she said she wished Son would do to The Ex what he did to us when he graduated and was being brain-washed by The Ex: move away and don't talk to her for 6+ months.

  On the night of Christmas Day, Girlfriend messaged me again and said that The Ex's house was "fun" that day.  She said someone had asked where Daughter was; The Ex replied, "She chose her dad AGAIN, big surprise."  Girlfriend said that Son responded by saying no, Daughter went to see family in Husband's home state and that Girlfriend added that this was Husband's dad's first Christmas without his wife.  Girlfriend said that The Ex said, "Oh, okay.  Sorry" but that she was being super sarcastic with her "apology."  Girlfriend said they left half an hour later and went to her parents' house; she said The Ex knew that she'd pissed off Son with her comments about Daughter, Husband, and Husband's family.  I told Girlfriend that I was glad Son said something but The Ex is still garbage.  I said I'm sure The Ex knew that she pissed off Son but she didn't care.  I also said that after they left, The Ex probably whined to everyone else about how Son and Daughter "treat her like shit."

  Girlfriend said that when they were leaving, The Ex told Son how much she'd spent on his gift and told him to be careful with it because "she doesn't have a lot of money but wanted to make sure he got something nice."  Girlfriend said they got home and realized the price tag was still on Son's gift - it was $100 less than what The Ex told them she'd spent on it. (I didn't say this to Girlfriend, but I'd bet that The Ex paid even less than what was on the price tag.  That woman drops money on herself like she won the lottery, but pinches pennies when it comes to everyone else.) Girlfriend said she told Son that it seems like it's always about money with his mom and said what I'd told her the night before about money/presents not being the reason for Christmas.  Girlfriend said that Son replied, "It's always been about the money for her." (I'm glad he finally sees it, even if it took him two decades to finally get it through his head.)

  This year has absolutely been a wild ride, man.  I pray that you and your families are blessed, happy, and that we all find joy and love in 2022.  Happy New Year!