So this (the below) is that (the above) ~ Check please!

I went to a restaurant (owned by members of my family) that was celebrating a milestone anniversary. There were people everywhere. Not all family but a lot of people. My husband, sister, brother-in-law, cousins and so on. I took a seat with the family and soon had a friend join me who regularly goes there anyway. I introduced him to the table and he and I talked most of the evening. I hardly heard more than a polite greeting save for my cousin who did take the time to kiss me on the cheek as she whooshed by. We had a meal and as we were ready to leave my sister was asking about her check to which my other cousin said she would cover hers. My sister looked at me and asked her about mine. She was silent. So my sister said if you aren't getting Wanda's it's not fair to get mine.

As you can probably tell, my sister and cousin are more like sisters than me and my sister. That's fine with me. I am more like sisters with my best friend than my sister so I get it. But since our favorite aunt passed away, the family tree seems to be trying to shake me completely out of the tree. My sister and I paid our checks and I have no idea if I will bother going anymore if no one is there who will say more than a polite hello. How much clearer can life get? I'll go peaceably. Life is too short to invest in unhealthy relationships even when they are family.

So.

Polite greetings.

Got it. 

👦👧👨👩👪👫👭👬👷👸👼👲👱👴👵💁

So this (the below) is that (the above).

💕💖💗💘💏💓💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💣💔

I talk to strangers so I don't feel alone

Most relatives avoid me, no one phones

I am not the black sheep or the crazy cousin

I am the zebra with stripes by the dozen

I try to be a joy, try to be the light

I try to play nice, I try not to fight

I am an independent just left of center

Our family crest must read, "Do Not Enter"

Zebras are just not allowed within this clan

Or other animals who take a stand

A black sheep, white sheep, red, even brown or yellow

You don't belong. . .

Run along little fellow