the measure of a sister

More breakfast banter, topic in question of increasing "seriousness" as of late:

Mum: Anna, you've really got to talk to your sister about getting a boyfriend. She's got to start thinking about marriage soon, you know! She really has to.

Me: Mum, please, just leave it alone. PLEASE.

Mum: Well, I guess it's not her fault, really. I mean, there are no guys at her work, her university friends are all spread around the country, and there's no young people at church... how is she supposed to meet anyone if there's no one around??

Me: I dunno, mum. Don't worry. You should just leave her alone.

Mum: You know, if you were truly a good sister you would talk to her about it more.

Me: Why don't you? Why do you always have to talk about it to me instead of her?? Just cos you know you'll make her angry... I don't want to be on the receiving end of this conversation all the time.

Mum: (utterly unresponsive to anything I say, as per usual) A good sister would get her to go to places where she can meet new people. You know I can't talk to her about it myself. But if it comes from you at least she'll hear you... what about _______ up in Auckland? He's so kind and good-looking and --

Me: You just love his parents and want to be parents-in-law! She doesn't like him... JUST LEAVE HER ALONE.

Mum: I can't see why she won't even consider _______.

Me: (inner monologue) maybe cos she doesn't like him like that!!!!!! AHHHHH!!!!


And the conversation continues... around and around in circles we go. It's enough to make the most patient of people go crazy, and trust me, I'm not nearly patient enough, especially, it seems, when it comes to my mother. I love her but she can be a persistent woman when she wants to be. Parental Lecture Series starting post-Kirsty's graduation: first it was "the future," then money, adult responsibilites, and now marriage. Poor Kirsty. She always seems to be at the recieving end of all their 'parental advice' -- they usually manage to exhaust all their energy with my sister so by the time they come around to me, they have little to say. (Thankfully.)

Despite my apparent annoyance, I'd rather have my parents overly involved with their plethora of wisdom than not involved at all. I'm not stupid enough to think they're not right most of the time.

Although they can push it every once in a while. Really, I don't need my mum's "love is a commitment" speech when I'm balling my eyes out watching Becoming Jane. Scary how Jane's mum reminds me so much of mine: "Affection is desirable... money is in-dis-pensable."