Originally Posted by JohnandMichelle

My Mam met one of my best friend's sisters the other day. She's always been a bit of a cow anyway, so I don't know why I'm surprised. She asked after us and Mam said that we were having a great time, loving it in Australia, building our own home, kids were settled, etc., etc. (She would have said all of this to her anyway, even we were hating it here....!) In reply, she said words to the effect: "They might be having a great lifestyle there, but it wouldn't be for me, I'm more "into family" - suggesting to my poor Mother that our family isn't. Mam emailed me as she does every day and I'm still spitting feathers. My Mother misses us terribly still and she really doesn't need the likes of her to pass sarky comments like this. Needless to say, I decided to bend the cow's cyber ear and sent her a little email as follows:

Hello Ann

I wanted to write to let you know that next time you meet my Mother, have the good grace to keep your caustic comments to yourself. Apparently you said that “they might be having a great life there, but I couldn’t do that because I’m more into family” or words to that effect. How dare you infer that your family are better than ours because we have moved to Australia or that your family are “closer” because you all live a stone’s throw from Loughnane Terrace. I’m lucky that my parents raised me (and my brothers) to be independent and adventurous in life. I feel very lucky to have the privilege of living in this beautiful country beside my eldest brother and am as close to the rest of my family as ever, just in different ways. I know I’ll be glad at the end of my life that I have tried different things and not been in the same job or house for 30 or 40 years.

My Mother certainly does not need the likes of you making comments like that to her. She misses us, but is proud that we’re very happy here – the kids especially have a much better lifestyle than they would have had in Galway. Hope your Mother is as proud of you……..

I tried not to get too personal (it was very hard!), but didn't want to go down to her level. It's sent now - hope I did the right thing....

Originally Posted by Geelong Gent

Daily communication between family & friends. How often does this happen when in the same town or village. Food for thought


"but it wouldn't be for me, I'm more "into family"."

Does this mean we all have to live in the same street, village or country? Maybe for some who have nothing else worth living for???

Who need a sense of control over immediate family or

Making excuses for a family that would not be able to make a move (thinking legal constraints / black sheep stuck in prison)

Originally Posted by sandav

Good for you girl. We have had a few comments as well and we are only putting the house on the market next week. I think that jealousy is an Irish thing just because they wouldn't have the guts to upset "Mammy" and move off. As for the family thing, you are into the family thing only its yours and not the whole extended family. Which quite honestly you can do without sometimes. At least you can still keep in touch with your family by all the different communications we have now, not like it was years ago. Don't let this one comment get to you and get on with enjoying your new life. Better than staying in Ireland where in my opinion there is no future for the kids. At least you are trying to give yours a good start in life. Sorry for going off on one.
Sandra

Originally Posted by JohnandMichelle

Thanks for comments everyone. Doubt I'll get a reply and, although I agree with you, Wendy, I shouldn't let her see how she's got to me, but she's made other comments before similar to this one and I'm not letting this one go.

Originally Posted by Wendy

I've actually changed my mind, and I'd have probably said something myself by now