As soon as I saw the pack I was inspired to write a generations challenge around it. I have recently finished writing and wanted to share it with you! Hope you enjoy playing it. Sorry for the long post though lol.
Here is the rules of the Crystal Generations Challange:
The first gen is responsible for all the crafting of the jewelry and each heir must wear their respective crystals as jewelry that the founder has crafted. Plumbite has to be carved into a gemstone and every generation can use it. Each heir's color palette is the colors of their crystals.
The First Gen
You, a gifted spellcaster with an ancient bloodline, rebel against the expectations of your ancestors. Despite achieving Virtuoso rank in spellcasting, your perfectionist nature and creative spirit drive you to pursue crystal crafting, defying tradition. Your journey symbolizes a quest for individuality despite familial pressure, as you craft jewelry imbued with your unique magic. Through your defiance, you find liberation and leave a long-lasting legacy, inspiring future generations to embrace their own paths and cherish the bonds of family.
Crystals: Moonstone, Alabaster, Shinolite
Traits: Perfectionist, Family Oriented, Creative
Aspiration: Crystal Crafter
Rules;

• Work on Spellcraft and Sorcery aspiration as a teen.
• Start your own life on an empty lot with zero simoleons as soon as you finish the aspiration.
• Master Gemology skill.
• Complete Crystals and Metals collections.
• Create master quality jewelry using all the crystals exept Plumbite.
• Create a gemstone using Plumbite.
• Have triplets only.

The Second Gen
You, a talented actress driven by jealousy, ambition, and snobbery, navigate the ruthless world of Hollywood. Determined to achieve wealth and fame, your competitive nature leads you to pursue success, regardless of the cost. As your star rises, you find yourself entangled in scandals and rivalries, questioning the sacrifices demanded by your ambition. Will your jealous nature consume you, or will you emerge victorious, shining brightly among the stars you envy?
Crystals: Jade, Jonquilyst, Crandestine
Traits: Jealous, Ambitious, Snob
Aspiration: Fabulously Wealthy
Career: ActoActress
Rules;

• Master mixology and acting skills.
• Be enemies with at least 5 celebrities.
• Get divorced and then remarry with the same sim.

The Third Gen
You are a unique sim that yearns to achieve inner peace. As a paranormal investigator, you navigate through supernatural mysteries, guided by your genius intellect. Despite your occasional mishaps, your determination to find harmony remains steady. Along your journey, you encounter challenges that test your resolve, yet you approach them with compassion and a calm demeanor. Through meditation, spiritual teachings, and the support of a close-knit family, you discover that true peace lies not in the absence of chaos, but in the serenity of one's own heart.
Crystals: Amethyst, Citrine, Alexandrite
Traits: Genius, Clumsy, Vegetarian
Aspiration: Inner Peace
Career: Paranormal Investigator
Rules;

• Master Medium and Wellness skills.
• Must live in a Haunted House for the entire young adult life.
• Have a good relationship with your children.
• Have family bowling night every Sunday.

The Fourth Gen
You are a style influencer that navigates the complexities of love and fashion. Despite your glamorous look, you have a deep sense of melancholy, and you struggle to connect with others on a deeper level. Your love life is packed with challenges due to your unflirty nature, leading to a series of failed romances. Yet, amidst the chaos, you learn to embrace your flaws and vulnerabilities. Through your journey, you discover that true beauty lies in authenticity and resilience, emerging as a beacon of hope for your love life.
Crystals: Rose, Diamond
Traits: Unflirty, Gloomy, Outgoing
Aspiration: Painter
Career: Style Influencer
Rules;

• Master Charisma, Painting and Photography skills.
• Have three failed relationships before finding your spouse.
• Marry a cheerful sim.

The Fifth Gen
You harbor a deep passion for history and want to become an archaeology scholar. You embark on a journey to become a scholar in the field. Through your expeditions, you learn to reconcile your desires with your morals, understanding that true wisdom comes from sharing knowledge rather than hoarding treasures. You become a guardian of history, using your unique traits to uncover hidden truths and preserve the past for future generations, realizing that your journey has only just begun amidst the ruins of civilizations long forgotten.
Crystals: Sapphire, Amazonite, Emerald
Traits: Neat, Loves Outdoors, Materialistic
Aspiration: Archaeology Scholar
Career: Education
Rules;

• Complete Ancient Omiscan Artifacts and Omiscan Treasures collections.
• Master Archaeology and Selvadoradian Culture skills.
• Get in the education career after completing your aspiration.

The Sixth Gen
You have a passion for creating immersive stories and a desire to become a bestselling author. You find inspiration from uncovering the hidden truths of your fellow sim's lives. You discover that every story you uncover with your creativity and deception skills is driven by your longing for truth. As you climb the ladder of success, you face moral dilemmas about whether to expose the secrets you discover or protect those you love. Through your adventures, you learn that the greatest stories lie not in books but in the lives of those around you, and that the most powerful truth is the one you find within yourself.
Crystals: Orange Topaz, Turquoise
Traits: Nosy, Cheerful, Bookworm
Aspiration: Best Selling Author
Career: Writer
Rules;

• Master writing and mischief skills.
• Must live in at least three different worlds for young adult and adult life.
• Eavesdrop on your neighbors and keep their secrets.

The Seventh Gen
You are a hopeless romantic who struggles to afford rent until you cross paths with a total stranger, who becomes both your roommate and closest friend. Despite your best efforts, you can’t find your place in a series of random part-time jobs. Your whimsical nature is often at odds with the demands of the working world. However, your romantic fantasies come crashing into reality when you embark on a passionate affair with a charismatic celebrity. Despite the famous person’s initial hesitance to commit and their preoccupation with their career, you find yourself swept up in a whirlwind romance that leads to a surprise pregnancy. Though doubts linger about the child's paternity, our celebrity steps up, proposes to you and whisks your life to luxury. Yet, as you settle into your opulent lifestyle, tensions brew between you and your best friend, who had always been wary of the intentions of your partner. Your friendship ultimately fractures under the weight of your new life, leaving you torn between loyalty to your friend and the uncertain but alluring promises of your newfound family, illustrating the complex interplay of fate, love, and friendship in your journey.
Crystals: Ruby, Fire Opal
Traits: Romantic, Childish, Noncommittal
Aspiration: Serial Romantic
Career: Part - Time Jobs
Rules;

• Must live with a roommate until you marry.
• Get level 3 in Babysitter, Fast Food Employee and Retail Employee careers.
• Have an accidental pregnancy with a celebrity and marry them.
• Be a housewife after you marry and devote yourself to raising your children.

The Eight Gen
You are a unique individual that dreams of becoming a professional athlete. Your love for nightlife and karaoke clashes with your quiet apartment complex's atmosphere, leading to frequent complaints from neighbors. Despite the challenges of balancing your party animal lifestyle with rigorous training, you remain determined to pursue your passion for both athleticism and socializing. Through your journey, you learn valuable lessons about responsibility and compromise, ultimately proving that with perseverance and the right attitude, you can achieve your dreams while respecting others' needs.
Crystals: Nitelite, Quartz
Traits: Squeamish, Dance Machine, Active
Aspiration: Party Animal
Career: Athlete
Rules;

• Complete City Posters collection.
• Master singing, dancing and fitness skills.
• Must accept every invitation to parties.
• Must live in an apartment with the Quiet Lot trait.

The Ninth Gen
You are a hot-headed foodie, on their journey to becoming an expert nectar maker. Leaving city life behind, you move to a rural ranch to grow ingredients and craft unique nectars. Despite challenges and occasional outbursts, your determination never wavers. Through experimentation and perseverance, you refine your skills, eventually opening a successful nectar retail shop. Along the way, you find fulfillment in sharing your passion for food and drink. Through your journey, you discover not only mastery in your craft but also a sense of belonging and purpose, showcasing the transformative power of following one's passion.
Crystals: Amber, Rainborz, Peach
Traits: Socially Awkard, Hot Headed, Foodie
Aspiration: Expert Nectar Maker
Career: Run a retail shop
Rules;

• Complete Experimental Food Photos collection.
• Master Nectar Making and Gardening skills.
• Grow a Death Flower.

The Tenth Gen
You stand out as a sim with an unwavering love for music and curiosity over flowers. Your life takes an unexpected turn when you unintentionally hasten your grandmother's passing with a bouquet infused with the scent of a death flower. Miraculously, you plead successfully with the Grim Reaper for your grandmother's life, discovering a newfound ability to summon death's harbinger and negotiate the fate of others. Despite the Grim Reaper's ominous presence, you form an unlikely friendship, eventually blossoming into an ill-fated romance. However, you learn the hard way that your love is forbidden, as spending time with the Grim Reaper accelerates your own aging. Despite this heartbreak, you channel your emotions into composing haunting melodies dedicated to your impossible love and tend to your garden with a fervent devotion. You await the passage of time, yearning for a reunion with your beloved Grim Reaper, even if only in spirit.
Crystals: Hematite, Jet, Simanite
Traits: Geek, Slob, Music Lover
Aspiration: Soulmate
Rules;

• Master Pipe Organ and Flower Arranging skills.
• Give a death flower scented arrangement to your elderly grandparent then plead for them.
• Have full friendship and romance bar with Grim Reaper.
• Date with Grim for a bit then break up.
• Don’t get married and don’t have any children.

Back story... My parents only dated a short time (like 3 months) when i was concieved back in the 70's. Growing up I was told I was my step dad's child until I was 11 years old when him and my mom divorced and was told that I couldn't live with my dad because I wasn't legally his child, which broke my heart. I love my dad (step dad) and always will, he treated me like his own from day one that he knew me and never let it slip I wasn't until my mom pressed the issue of me staying with her when they divorced.
I was finally told who my biological father really was and his mom actually worked with my mother. I got to know my grandparents and 1 aunt, but not my biological father because "he wasn't ready". My other aunt refused to believe I was his even though I look Damn near exactly like a clone of my grandmother (bio father and my aunts mother). Even to the point she ripped up my school picture she was given in front of me one time when i was 13. Well when I turned 17 dna paternity test was done and he (biological father) was 99.9998% my father! At this point I met him (because my grandpa basically made him because I was already grandpa favorite) and had gotten to know him somewhat but no other family members at all. A couple years later he told me to my face "I wish you were never born" and his mother (grandma) lost it on him. So I went NC for a few years until I found out that my grandfather whom adored me (biological fathers dad), got sick and I moved there to help my grandmother who I got really close with even though her son is a douche canoe in sneakers and a bad impersonation haircut short of a wannabe starsky from starsky and hutch. A couple months go by and my grandpa passed away. While at the funeral I went to sit with my family and someone that I had seen before (which I find out later was a cousin) comes up to me and says "you shouldn't be sitting up here, it's for family only, not hospice care nurses." And I told them "I'm "grandpa's" grandchild so I am family" to which the cousin says "I would know if you were my cousin since he only had 3 children and only 2 grandsons and i don't have a sister". I said that I was his uncle's child and he argued with me until my grandmother came to my defense telling my cousin that I was in fact his uncle's child. My cousin runs over to my biological sperm donor of a fucking legend and tells him what had happened in front of a hell of a lot more of the family extremely loudly and outs him about my existence to the whole universe. To which Sperm donor of a fucking legend comes over to me after the funeral and tells me that I just ruined his reputation and his father's funeral. I told him to pretend that I don't exist in his world and I'll do the same in reverse, I didn't ask to be born nor did I ask him to impregnate random women that he only knew briefly then keep the child a secret and make his own parents keep it a secret for 26 years! Am I the asshole?

My GPA hasn't been too great partially because I was unmotivated and my grandmother had cancer. I go to a pretty hard public school and my gpa is a 3.8/4 and a 97 on the 100-point scale. I'm only in about 2 clubs at school: robotics and science olympiad, and i'm not an officer for either one. I am part of an academy that requires 100 volunteer hours and enrichments. My extra circulars include classical dance (where we perform sometimes and partake in competitions occasionally), piano (where I play at a recital every semester and enroll in a competition every year), WSC (an academic competition, i've been global qualifier twice but haven't had enough money to go to global rounds), CLF (an environmental organization where I've been a facilitator, hosting meetings and helping people make an impact in their communities), a podcast where I talk about pollution, and Ocean Busters (an environmental nonprofit I co-founded). I've taken 8 APs so far and plan on taking 4 more in senior year. As for the SAT, I got a 1490 on my first try (800 math and 690 reading) and a 1500 on my second try (730 reading and 770 math) and I plan on taking the SAT one more time over the summer. If I write a good essay, would I be able to get into Rice?

Hi everyone, I usually don't post on reddit, and there is no way on earth I could summarize what happened or how I feel and even I did, I doubt anyone would read through 10 pages of text, so I will try to summarize how I feel now vaguely
I am a male in my late twenties in a third world country, there is no father figure, I got a little sister and my mother, gratefully, I have pretty much taught myself everything and parented myself, bought everything I own and almost everything my mom and sis own too, I keep finding things the hard way and I wish if someone taught me these things earlier whether it's my non existing womanizing father or my naive innocent mother who needs help herself, I barely open up to people, I try to never show that I am negative or going through anything to anyone, except 1 childhood friend I trust and no one else, I find it super hard to make new friends as I get super anxious of being backstabbed again or somehow losing a good person, and I did put efforts into this, I did therapy, I did go to the gym and I still do, I read books, I ask for help, I improve my skills, my language fluency, I check for Visa programs and I am working on it to try and change my life / my mom's and sister's financially, a lot of people actually get close to me quickly, consider me their friend, compliment me, call me funny or smart or charismatic, but I can't believe it, I just see I am a bad person and I hate myself really hard, and I am super anxious and stressed, I have literally cried every single day in the past couple of months without missing one, and I can't help it, only my grandmother was a kind soul and she was a real mother to me, she died a few years ago, my father is crazy and he never cares for me or my sister, my mom barely got away from him and and he was literally giving death threats, it is very hard in my country for a woman to divorce her husband as well, so, I went on a marathon of self improvements on the inside out and yet I still feel so broken and sad and lonely and scared, I keep blaming it feeling like maybe it's cuz I am not smart enough, maybe I am not funny enough or maybe it's cuz I am ugly, male friends always compliment my photos like crazy and tell me I could "model" potentially, but the two girls I have opened up to in my entire life did not reciprocate feelings at all, the latter seemed like she did have feelings and I did my best to be the best version of my self in all aspects of my life, why? Cuz she in particular, made my eyes light up, she made me so happy when I never felt so happy and I know, I shouldn't be a relationship if I am expecting someone else to make me happy, and I am not fixed myself, but I wasn't looking for one, she entered my life so unexpecdly and she was so kind to me, she was so loving and caring, I felt love and good treatment I never knew even existed in my entire life, I was so happy I didn't overthink, I didn't feel bad or sad or lonely or scared, I felt so strong around her, and I doubled / tripled my income, became so much better at taking care of my health, I became almost the best verison I have ever been of my self, because deep down I was so scared of not being enough for her, and I made sure to communicate with her in every healthy way, I watched tons of guides on how to healthily communicate, attachment styles, giving space, etc etc, it was going so well, then suddenly she said she wasn't ready for a relationship, I looked back at my actions, every single one of them, every word I said, and I couldn't get my hands on something I might have messed up, I was joyful and normal, I didn't act differently around her from the way I did on day 1, I showed my best friend every action I could have done wrong, he kept saying you did nothing wrong, I still believe I did, anyway, ever since I got back not only to my old self, but hell, my negative thoughts 100xed, I reached out for help, moving phase they said, I cried, griefed all I could, I focused on myself and kept going to the gym, kept eating healthy, I have quit porn forever as well, been porn free for as long as you can count, I never get the urge to watch it again, all the urge I get is I wanna have a person like her, and I wanna be successful and change my moms / sisters life, I do help them and buy appliances/ gifts to them and I try to be kind to them, I do my best in my jobs / I am working on a business with my friend, I am going to the gym except for this week where I have lost my mind I think, first time I don't go is this week, look I can't write everything, I just wanna feel loved and I wanna enjoy being alone and stay focused on my missions for myself and my family, but, at the same time, I get super high levels of stress and negativity and I keep crying, in fact I am crying now, it's 5 AM and it's a weekend, I pulled away from most of my friends except my best friend whom I am grateful to have, but I am tired of venting out to him, I feel like he doesn't deserve this, I can't afford to vent out more to him, even tho he does to me too, but not as much as I do, I feel like I put enough on his shoulders and he has helped me enough, I know a million people have it worse than me I feel bad for them and I cry when I see a homeless person okay, I have good health, I have an ok job and I still have my mom and sister, but I can't help it, I literally cry till I can't breathe, I am so scared and I am so lonely, I thought maybe it was the idea of having a partner who lit me up, but no, it was just her in particular that was so kind and caring, and this is not a relationship subreddit, nor is it the main theme of this post, TL;DR I just can't help it, I feel so bad, I feel so unloved and no one gives a shit about me, I even feel like my mother doesn't care, I am also scared when the day comes that my mother is too old or she is gone, as at least she is the only soul that was genuine to me, I don't know what to do, focus on yourself, there are people that have it way worse than you" I know but I can't help it, and I do everything possible to be my best self and I don't see results, I work two jobs so I can afford the gym calories and protien intake + pay for mym om and sister's college, I dont have time for the gym mostly, so I can't really get rid of my skinny physique which my mind thinks is why she wasn't ready for a relationship, or maybe it's affecting my self confidence, maybe it's cuz I am not tall, I don't know, most of the people I know have loving girlfriends and some of them even cheated, or were complete jerks, I try my absolute best not just in relationships, but also in business and in fitness, but I see no results in any aspect of my life, except the income increase recently but money isn't really helping, I wish if my father taught me a thing or two, I don't know what to do, I don't know how to live basically like how are people not just like wanting to end themselves and how can they be loved and be happy and effortlessly have someone that loves them, even when I don't put effort because maybe you think I am putting too much into my relationship or I am pushy, people just don't give a damn, it's like I am either super ugly and my friends are gaslighting me, or I have something wrong with my head, I am too stupid and I can't realize what's wrong with me, why me like, I see a guy who is a jerk and he is alcholic + smokes and everythin, and cheats and his GF loves him more than the world, friends respect him as well, while I don't smoke, I don't watch porn, I work out, I provide for m family, I try to parent myself, I try to self reflect, I keep doing self improvement, I try to jooin fun activites and hobbies, I am doing my best to have my own business even though I barely have enough time, but nothing is working out, what is wrong with me? I am so stupid + ugly thats what I genuinly think, I don't wanna do any black or redpill bs okay, I don't believe in any thing specific, I just don't see why this is how it is, like listen, I wasn't always try harding, I was younger and I was not thinking about any of this, I just liked video games, movies, animals and I had friends too in school, but when I am in my 20s I see that I am just becoming like, an outcast, like, I can't have a gf, I can't have free time, I can't figure out what am I supposed to do, and if I am afraid of leaving my family and focusing on myself because they have no one but me, literally, just me, I can't travel and afford to leave them, I tried suicide over two times in the last few months, I can't figure anything out, and I don't know why can't I have the courage to end my life either, it's like I am hoping something will work out and my life will change for the better and I will feel content, the only bright spot in my entire life was her, and I am so sad that I probably messed it up, I don't know what to do, the advice I will probably get is just keep working out, keep saving money, but guys what if I am 30 and nothing changes, I can't just cope everyday I can't, it's sooo heavy, I am tired of crying I am tired of venting to my best friend, I am tired of feeling so anxious and lonely, I tried therapy but therapy won't change the fact that I am unloved and just have something wrong with me, like is it my genetics or i dont know, what am I lacking, what did I do wrong for her to change her mind, and why can't I open up to any other girl, and it is so difficult to find a good hearted kind souled girl like her, I wanna learn how to be happy on my own, but it is so hard, like I just can't, I don't know why am I even writin this here, no one knows all the details and I doubt that anyone cares either, I am forced to work for my mom and sis, if it werent for them, I would probably work a simple job and just isolate, I have to do it as it is the best paying job in case they need anything, I am not even close to being rich, I am not handsome and I am not tall, I am not funny, and I didn't have the best upbringing, my city barely has activities and I can't move out now, I googled piano classes, dance classes, archery, I did martial arts, I keep coming back to the gym, I read books, I eat healthy, why is nothing working guys, all I am asking for is just like one person to be kind to me as she was, honestly a part of me also just wants to be in a relationship as I wanna have great / carefree memories with another person that will also care for me, not just be one sided with my family, I just wanna love and feel loved, I want a nice kind girlfriend and to find a way to travel out of my country, the companies that sponsor visas just prefer engineers or super highly skilled individuals I am trying to be that, but its not working and I am not that bright or smart, also, I am afraid even if I go to a first world country I will be even lonelier + I will leave my family behind to starve, honeslty, I don't know what to do, I feel like I am doing everything by myself all my by myself mentally and physically, and I have 0 support, if it weren't for my best friend I wouldn't have been alive, but I don't want to vent out to him anymore and give him negative energy while acting like nothing is off to me to the rest of the world, I wanna feel loved and recognized, I wanna have a car and a good looking body, I wanna be content and confident and have a girl friend that will commit to me too, but these things are taking so long that I feel like they will never come, and I will just keep woring 1-2 jobs till I lose my hair and die alone and miserable, a failure with wasted potential, I don't know why am I even writing this, and I don't know what am I supposed to do, ALL I am asking is a way not to feel shitty for a single day, so I can keep doing what I am doing, and that only happened when she was in my life, not it is worse than ever, and I cannot find a fix, honestly, I don't know what am I even writing at this point, hopefully I will die soon painlessly and forget everything

Soo from my memory the film starts with grandmother dying and begging for her grandson to find her long lost husband then it cuts to a boy who is on a beach with his fishing tribe some time around wwii the boy grew up and the country sent the army to forcefully enlist him and he evaded capture then hi believe the war ended and his life was happy and he got married and had a kid on the way but one day while fishing he got caught in a draft and was swept away he was saved by a commercial boat and it also sunk at sea then was saved by another boat in england and never came back home but his grandchild wanted to find him as for his grandmothers dying wish and was found in england living a miserable life

I’m 42, early perimenopause, and I want to celebrate giving less fucks and having more playfulness and pleasure in my life.
It’s the long weekend and I’m so happy to have 3 free days stretching ahead of me. Even though we are just staying at home, I feel like I’m on vacation. And that’s because we haven’t formally planned anything….we’re just going to putter around and see where our weekend takes us. And isn’t vacation just a dedicated time to rest, play, explore and enjoy yourself? Literally follow your pleasure.
I never would allowed myself to do this before. I would’ve looked at the housework that needed to be done and the projects on the list, and decided that I better use this lovely long weekend to do perfectionistic work, because I didn’t allow myself to rest until all the work was done or I was on vacation.
Instead, I had a really fun workout being playful and weird and dancing to an awesome playlist (I’m obsessed with jungle’s back on 74) and shaking out the stress of the workweek, then stretched and rolled out my muscles which felt like releasing all the bullshit of the week - I felt so clear and grounded after. Now I’m having a chill day and just had a lovely self massage session where I felt close to orgasm for about 20 min before a beautiful release (!) while listening to poetic sensual songs by my man, Hozier and now I’m happily eating nerds and writing this so I don’t forget.
I organize my life when I’m not at work around rest, creativity, playfulness and pleasure and life feels like vacation most of the time. Has to be said, There is a lot of privilege in this…. I have a modest house, an old car that runs. I have enough money to pay the bills, I don’t live an extravagant life, but I don’t worry about meeting my basic needs.
It was slow but I built this life over the past five years. Like so many, the journey started with the lowest of lows - the death of my mother (which was v. complicated but that’s a story for another time) and led to me slowly but surely unlearning everything I thought I knew about how to be a good human and live a good life. I deconstructed from Christianity and processed some complex trauma and that opened up my nervous system to be in a calm, connected state more often rather than in fight or flight or shutdown most of the time.
I’ve stopped striving for some perfectionistic vision of success that was given to me by other people. I think this might be what people mean when they say that in your 40s and 50s you stop giving so many fucks?
I gave so many fucks because I really wanted connection and belonging and and because of complex trauma I was always trying to be the person that other people needed me to be so I could maintain connection with them.
Now I’m deeply connected with myself. I listen to my body most of the time. I feed myself and care for myself better because I really do love myself more wholly than I did before. I had so many conditions on accepting myself in the past, so I was always unhappy. I had a pretty toxic relationship with myself and it took a while to repair that.
I’ve learned to be the kind, encouraging fiercely, motivating, and encouraging friend to myself that I am to other people in my life. my inner critic is still there, but not nearly as loud as she used to be. I’ve now got another voice in my head….i like to think of her as myself when I’m a grandmother, holding my hand and comforting me when I need it and pumping me up and pushing me when I need it. It sure beats that mean inner critic…who I sometimes visualize as my teenager self, yelling at me and shaming me all the time!
Now me and the kind voice in my head roll through life seeking pleasure - the excitement of a new garden, the sun on my skin, a warm bath, chopping up veggies and making a fancy salad. I want to enjoy my life and that leads to all sorts of caring for my physical, mental, relational, and spiritual needs.
I’m just so happy I got to this point in my life, I didn’t think I could ever feel a sense of ease like this.
Anyways, here’s to my perimenopausal and menopausal friends who are on the journey of giving less fucks, learning you are and what you value, and untangling the chokehold of perfectionism and people pleasing (capitalism and patriarchy) and following your pleasure.

The town of Frostwood was a small, isolated community nestled deep within the Northern Rockies. The surrounding forest was dense, a labyrinth of towering pines and ancient oaks, their gnarled branches clawing at the sky. Winters were harsh and unforgiving, turning the world into a monochrome prison of ice and snow. It was here that the legend of the Wendigo was born, whispered among the townsfolk on long, cold nights.
Sarah had lived in Frostwood all her life. She knew the stories well: a creature, once human, transformed by an insatiable hunger for human flesh. Her grandmother used to warn her never to venture too far into the woods, especially after dark. "The Wendigo waits," she would say, her voice trembling. "It waits for the foolish and the lost."
One evening, Sarah's younger brother, Tom, didn't return from playing in the forest. Panic gripped her heart as she grabbed her coat and a flashlight, plunging into the twilight maze of trees. The search party had already scoured the nearby paths, their shouts echoing through the cold air, but Sarah knew Tom had a favorite hiding spot deeper in the woods, a secluded clearing they had discovered together.
As she trudged through the snow, the light of her flashlight danced across the shadows. The forest was eerily silent, the only sound the crunch of her boots on the frozen ground. She called out for Tom, her voice growing hoarse and desperate. The wind picked up, carrying with it a faint, chilling whisper.
"Sarah..."
She froze. It sounded like Tom, but distorted, as if coming from far away. She turned in circles, the beam of her flashlight slicing through the darkness.
"Tom, where are you?" she cried, her voice shaking.
"Here, Sarah..."
The voice was closer now, but wrong. It was accompanied by a low growl that sent shivers down her spine. She stumbled forward, breaking into the clearing. Her flashlight revealed a figure standing at the edge, barely visible in the shadows.
"Tom?" she whispered, taking a hesitant step forward.
The figure moved into the light, and Sarah's breath caught in her throat. It was her brother, but his eyes were hollow, lifeless. His skin was pallid and stretched tight over his bones. He opened his mouth to speak, but only a guttural, inhuman sound emerged.
Suddenly, the true horror stepped from the shadows behind Tom. The creature was tall and emaciated, its skin a sickly gray, hanging loosely from its skeletal frame. Its eyes were deep pits of darkness, and its mouth was a grotesque maw filled with sharp, rotting teeth. Long, clawed fingers rested on Tom's shoulders, as if puppeteering him.
The Wendigo.
Sarah screamed, but it was too late. The creature moved with a speed that defied its gaunt appearance, closing the distance between them in an instant. It swiped at her with its claws, tearing through her coat and grazing her skin. She fell to the ground, the flashlight skittering away, its beam casting erratic shadows.
The Wendigo loomed over her, its rancid breath hot against her face. Sarah struggled to crawl away, but the creature grabbed her leg, pulling her back with terrifying strength. She kicked and thrashed, managing to land a solid hit against its head. The Wendigo snarled, releasing her for just a moment.
She scrambled to her feet, grabbing the flashlight and swinging it wildly. The beam caught the creature in the eyes, and it recoiled with a shriek. Seizing the opportunity, Sarah bolted into the trees, her heart pounding in her ears. She didn't dare look back, the Wendigo's furious roars echoing behind her.
She ran until her legs gave out, collapsing in the snow near the edge of town. The search party found her there, delirious and babbling about the creature in the woods. They didn't believe her, attributing her terror to the shock of losing her brother.
But Sarah knew the truth. She had seen the Wendigo, felt its hunger. Tom was gone, taken by the forest's dark secret. As she lay in her bed that night, she could still hear the creature's whispers, a promise of hunger that would never be sated.
In the heart of Frostwood, the Wendigo waits, its appetite endless, its presence a dark stain on the town's soul. And Sarah knew, deep down, that one day it would come for her again.

I was on the phone with my grandmother yesterday and she said some things that lingered in my mind and haven’t kicked in until today. She always does this: she says things in passing or will take her time making hints and it’s always the next day that it hits me and bothers me to the point of pissing me off. Mainly because she won’t give me a chance to say anything back or to stick up for myself.
This time she was saying she hopes her family members are good people and don’t kill anyone. I’m pretty sure it’s because my uncle must have been telling her things to make me out to sound like a psycho. He’s doing this because I called him out infront of her for ranting about wanting to kill people. But the thing is is that someone should call him out for that, because I’ve seen him rant and yell and pace the kitchen floor at his moms talking about getting his gun out and killing his boss. He was just terrorizing us (his family) he wasn’t actually getting anything productive done like seeking therapy or talking to his boss about their issues. And his mom was just preparing supper for him and I watched him sit down and eat it and then push the plate away from him like a spoiled child and continue talking about killing people. But my gram is too cenile and too much of an enabler to get after him for this.
She did this a few weeks ago too: in passing she accused me of doing drugs and ended the conversation prematurely. It sounds like my uncle is just talking shit about me and saying that I’m on drugs. All this because I call out the bullshit that I see. He’s very hypocritical: if I say something then he accuses me of doing drugs.
It feels like my grandmother enables her own children but will be quick to chastize her grandchildren and think very lowly of us, or chooses to see us as dumb and immature.
Anyways it’s just really pissing me off and theres not too many people in my life that I can talk to so I’m just ranting a little bit.
I feel like I can’t talk to her anymore because shes so cenile and rude towards me. She won’t listen to anything I have to say to defend myself. And that bothers me because my uncle is always trying to make me out to be a rude or ungrateful grandson of hers, but he’s the reason why I can’t have a relationship with her. He pushes everyone away from her because he is always staying at his moms and sleeping in her living room, and nobody wants to be there when he’s there.
I’m worried that she’ll die without me talking to her during her last months or years and that my uncle will then accuse me of neglecting her. Meanwhile he’s the one ruining our relationship.
And my gram is becoming so goddamn rude: accusing me of everything under the sun then not wanting to hear what I have to say.
She’s kind of becoming a POS, by her behaviour. If this was anyone else I’d have no problem cutting contact with her.

Looking for a ome advice, even if it’s just a recommendation on who is best to speak to about this.
Here’s the scenario.
Grandmother takes out life insurance policy for her grandson around the time he was born. 25 years later, the grandson is tragically killed. The grandson had a wife and child of his own.
Is the grandmother automatically the beneficiary of that life insurance policy, or would it default to his wife and/or son instead?
How would one go about finding out where this policy is held and making a petition for the payment?
Thank you in advance

PC
Reddit Account: u/lilianaofthevale
Discord Tag: moonflower
Name and House: Lythene Banefort
Age: 22
Cultural Group: Westerman
Appearance: Lady Banefort stands graceful and tall, with lustrous black hair that cascades down her back like a river of darkness. Her eyes are a deep, dark colour that seem to hold within them a wealth of intelligence and secrets. She has a penchant for flowing, dark gowns that drape elegantly over her frame, often adorned with intricate embroidery and beading. She is a fascinating figure among the courts of the Westerlands.
Trait: Numerate
Skill(s): Avaricious, Architect (e), Scrutinous (e)
Talent(s): Dancing, Sewing, Cyvasse
Negative Trait(s): N/A
Starting Title(s): Lady of Banefort
Starting Location: Opening Event
AC
Name and House: Bethany Banefort
Age: 19
Cultural Group: Westerman
Appearance: Bethany has soft features, with a round face that gives her a delicate and feminine appearance. Her tall stature resembles that of her elder sister, with porcelain pale skin and waves of dark hair. Her sweet sky-blue eyes are truly what make her stand out.
Trait: Erudite
Skill(s): Medic (e), Apothecary
Talent(s): Dancing, Singing, Botony
Negative Trait(s): N/A
Starting Title(s): Heir to Banefort
Starting Location: Opening Event
Timeline:
3 AC: Lythene is born to Lord and Lady Banefort.
6 AC: Bethany is born to Lord and Lady Banefort.
9 AC: Lythene and Bethany spend their childhood within the stone walls of their father's imposing castle, growing up alongside their family. Their days were filled with adventures in the sprawling courtyards and secret passages. They begin their education with the help of tutors and Septas.
20 AC: Tragically, Lord and Lady Banefort meet an untimely end, when their ship sinks during a voyage to make a trade deal, leaving their daughters in the care of their elderly grandmother, Helen Banefort. Lady Lythene assumes the role of ruler of Banefort.
24 AC: Helen Banefort dies. Lady Lyene is now without the guidance and support of her grandmother, altering the family's balance of influence.
25 AC: House Banefort visits King's Landing to attend the festivities.
FAMILY TREE
https://www.familyecho.com/?p=START&c=xou9xfssbfupxipa&f=272537706305268709
ARCHETYPES
Ser Lucion Hawthorne - Warrior
Ser Triston Algood - Tourney-knight

As a bookseller I try not to shove Pratchett into the hands of every customer I meet – too many people I know were put off by overzealous fans pushing too hard. But today, I served a lovely grandmother shopping for her grandson who had read one and wanted more. What a joy to share a few of my favourites with the next generation!
It got me thinking, how did disc come into your life? Was it chance? A recommendation? A wise librarian? And what did you start with?

Tragedy in Palazzolo, in the Vercelli area. A five-month-old baby was bitten and killed by his family's pit bull. The accident occurred at 6pm today. According to an initial reconstruction, the child was in the arms of his grandmother who was walking in the garden of the house, it seems precisely to calm down the little one who had started crying, while the parents, a young couple who had recently moved to the village, had gone to do buy groceries. Suddenly the dog leaped towards the woman who fell: the pit bull then turned against the child, biting him in the head.
The grandmother could do nothing to defend her grandson. The family members who returned shortly after called 118: an ambulance arrived and then the air ambulance from Alessandria, but there was nothing left to do for the little boy: the wounds to the head inflicted by the bites were too serious. The Vercelli police are now investigating, to whom the child's grandmother, despite being in shock, managed to explain the dynamics of the tragedy. The pitbull was seized and taken into care by the Forestry Service while awaiting investigations.
Article Link: https://torino.repubblica.it/cronaca/2024/05/17/news/pitbulla_azzanna_bimbo_vercelli_a_5_mesi_muore_azzannato_da_un_cane_tragedia_nel_vercellese-423010346/?ref=RHLF-BG-P1-S1-T1
Edited: better link and updated information

Remember her 27 year old cousin died just prior to this whole debacle. Her grandmother lost a grandson TRAGICALLY! She did not go to the funeral. From the jump she said she son nearly died and only a few days prior her family suffered through real trauma! How do her grandparents even love her??? She completely diminished Sandy Hook and all the grief but also right in her own backyard! “S nearly died !” But her did die! She will stop at nothing!
Now because she completed a normal life thing she is justifying all her bad behavior

I’m currently reading Firestarter for the first time. Andy refers to his late grandfather as “Granther McGee,” and his late grandmother as “Halda (Hulda? Something like that) McGee.” As they shared his last name, that implies that they were his father’s parents. However, there is a line in the book that states that when Granther died, Andy’s mother inherited the property, suggesting that he was in fact his maternal grandmother. There are a few possible explanations for this:

1. King got mixed up and forgot which side of the family they were supposed to be from.
   
2. Andy and his father were both only children, and his father died before his mother and grandparents did. His grandparents left the property to their daughter in law in order to ensure that their only grandson would inherit it.
   
3. Andy’s father took his mother’s last name. This is unlikely considering they would have gotten married in the 40s or 50s.
   
4. Andy’s parents were blood related. Again, this is unlikely.
   

Edit: The fifth explanation is that Andy was raised by a single mother and was given her last name, like how Rory Gilmore had the same name as her mom and maternal grandparents because her father wasn’t really in her life. However, this is also unlikely considering the time period.

I am not the OOP. The OOP is u/brotherconflict posting in AmItheAsshole and his user account
Ongoing as per OOP
2 updates - Long
Original - 31st May 2023
Update1 - 11th June 2023
Update2 - 31st Oct0ber 2023
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WIBTA if I skipped my sister's wedding?
​
Throwaway account + fake names.
I (23m) am one of seven kids. There's Lydia (31f), Josh (28m), Leo (25m), me, then Erin (21f), Nadia (18f), and the surprise child Lexie (4f). With that many siblings, it's easy to get lost in the crowd. Some of us have our 'positions,' so to speak. Lydia's the oldest, Lexie's the baby, I have a kid (yes, that's my descriptor. OP: gave us a grandchild). Erin is the golden child. She was the last planned child, the one supposed to tie up our family. She was born premature so I understand that my parents coddled her to an extent, but it's more than that now.
Erin's getting married and recently told us that she's brought the date forward due to a cancellation. No big deal, it just means they're getting married sooner. But the new date lands on the date of Nadia's HS graduation. Erin was sympathetic, but said she's already committed to the date, they've printed the invitations. My parents normally go overboard on our HS grads, but they said that they'd just have to miss Nadia's. We were all sympathetic, but it wasn't intentional.
Or so I thought. But Nadia later told me and Leo that she was there when Erin got the call about the cancellation and told Erin that she was graduating that day, but Erin just laughed and accepted the date anyway. This, as much as I hate to admit it, sounds like a very Erin thing to do. She booked her engagement part for the night of Nadia's 18th birthday (luckily, she wasn't celebrating until the weekend). She announced her engagement at my oldest sister's wedding anniversary. Everything is about her.
I confronted Erin about this, and she said that Nadia's HS graduation didn't matter. She wanted to get married to the love of her life sooner—and our family had been to plenty of HS graduations at this point, anyway. She said something like, "we still have Lexie." But here's what gets me the most: Nadia's been looking forward to this for so long. She's watched all of us graduate and have these huge celebrations thrown by our parents. I asked Nadia what she wanted, and she said she wanted to have her day.
So, I told my family that me and Nadia won't be attending the wedding. Leo has also dropped out. Everyone's angry. Erin's furious, and I didn't make it better by telling her that I could watch our other siblings get married, since it's all the same in her eyes. Mom's trying to convince me to come to the wedding because 'graduation isn't as important' but I feel like if I don't do this then it sets a precedent in Nadia's life that she's always going to mean less than Erin. I've had messages calling me an asshole, an idiot, etc. They're telling me to step up and be a good brother, but that's what I'm doing. My son is supposed to be ring bearer but with how my family is reacting, I'm considering pulling him out of the wedding, too. My dad's told Nadia he'll take her to dinner after the wedding. Nadia's currently staying with me because mom won't stop cornering her.
AITA?
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Comments
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Comfortable-Sea-2454
NTA - Erin tried to make her little sisters graduation all about her and you are being a good big brother and standing up for Nadia. Also, I am extra petty, but I would pull your son out of the wedding in Solidarity for Nadia.
BTW "I could watch our other siblings get married, since it's all the same in her eyes" Boom!!!
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[deleted]
The last part was golden. It always good when you use the selfish’ peoples own logic against them.
NTA OP, pull out your son, if you want to be even more petty, make him some kind of bearer for Nadia’s graduation. Continue being a good brother
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Not-Mom15
He could be Nadia's cap-bearer and make sure her tassel is in the proper place and unknotted all the way. Make a whole ceremony of making sure auntie's completely ready to walk for her diploma and it'd be the cutest thing ever, especially if he and OP are both dressed in formal clothes.
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Update - 11 days later
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It's two days after D-Day and I finally come bearing an update! I've had to condense it quite a bit because a lot has happened. Before I start, Nadia wanted me to thank everyone who congratulated her on her graduation. She was overwhelmed by the support you all gave her, especially after she faced such opposition from our family.
So, let's start. Last Friday, Leo and I went to speak to our parents and Erin. I wanted to tell them that I'd be pulling my son from the wedding. Our older siblings ended up turning up as well, so it was us four standing up for Nadia. Leo had spoken to them the night before, and helped them see things more clearly from Nadia's eyes. Apparently, it didn't sink in with them that Erin chose the date intentionally.
There was a lot of yelling. Erin accused me of trying to sabotage her wedding, our parents tried to convince me to let them take my son to the wedding, but I stood my ground. I felt a lot stronger with my older siblings with me. There's only two years between me and Erin after all, I'm not much of an older brother.
Luckily, Lydia was there. Her words carry more weight as the eldest and she didn't give Erin or my parents room to argue as she told them that Erin chose the date intentionally, admitted as much in front of me and Leo, and that this was normal behaviour for her. Lydia told them that if they continued to favor Erin so blatantly, the rest of us would go no-contact—and Lexie would likely follow in the future.
Our dad started yelling. Not at us, but at Erin, surprisingly. I've never seen him so angry before, and to see it directed at Erin was... shocking. Our mom asked us to leave. We didn't hear from anyone on that side until Monday when Erin's fiancé George asked to meet us at our parents'. He apologised to Nadia. He didn't know that the wedding and graduation overlapped, nor did he know that it was something Erin did on purpose. Our dad was the one to tell him.
What followed was a long talk between us, during which we all aired our grievances. I told our parents that we all felt that they valued Erin more. That none of us mattered to them compared to her. Her artwork always went up on the fridge, ours always went in the drawer. I told them that, as a parent, I could never imagine treating my child like that.
Erin tried to argue. She tried to tell us that we were trying to turn her into a bad guy, trying to turn our parents against her, trying to sabotage her wedding. Our mom told her to be quiet, that it was our time to talk. George stepped in to tell us that he didn't expect us to attend the wedding, but we were welcome to attend the reception. He went so far as to say that he wished he could have cancelled the wedding altogether, but it'd only cost him more money that he'd spent by bringing it forward.
Mom's willingness to hear us out lasted less than 24 hours. By Tuesday, she was begging us to reconsider. Apparently our feelings meant nothing in the face of Erin's dire stress and the fact that people would be questioning our absence on the big day. I haven't spoken to my mom since, but I did ask my dad to bring my some of Nadia's things because she is going to be staying with me full-time.
We have officially gone no-contact with our mother.
Dad took Nadia out for an early-graduation celebration on Wednesday. They had a daddy-daughter date that I think she really needed. He apologised for a lot of things and told her he wanted to do the same with the rest of us. But Wednesday was about her. I'm happy she got that one-on-one time with him. She was happy coming home to me. In our sibling group chat, she said that she really thinks dad is going to try to mend bridges with us, even if mom won't.
Dad also turned up early yesterday morning (I'm talking... 6.30 a.m.) to give Nadia flowers. He told her that he was proud of her. George even called while he was getting ready for his big day to congratulate Nadia, which I really appreciated.
We didn't hear from mom or Erin. Our paternal grandma ended up coming to the graduation with us.
It was a great day. Like, a really great day. We didn't think about the wedding, didn't think about Erin. We just had fun together. My son got to wear his aunt's cap and gown and nearly drowned in the fabric. Our grandma tried on the cap, too. We took photos and sent them to our dad, who posted them in a Facebook post he wrote to congratulate both Erin on her wedding and Nadia on her graduation and we laughed about how it must have pissed off our newly wedded sister. We went out for dinner and we, as siblings, gifted Nadia money for a week away with her best friend, which somebody suggested in a comment on the initial post.
I texted George my congratulations. Despite everything, I do hope he and Erin are happy together. While she might not love us, I don't doubt that Erin loves him. Yes, she wants her spotlight and her moment, but I don't think she's marrying him just for that. Bringing the wedding forward? Sure, that's a hugely malicious tactic to bring herself more attention. Marrying him for the sake of having a wedding? She isn't that type of narcissist.
As of right now, I plan on staying no-contact with my mom unless she makes some big changes. This is a sentiment shared not only by the majority of my siblings, but is also encouraged by our dad and grandma. She's tried reaching out to me and my partner, mostly berating us for not attending the wedding and accusing us of planning to keep her grandchild away from her.
At the moment, our summer looks busy! We're planning on filling it with as many family outings as possible before Nadia leaves for college. We've also got Josh's 29th birthday to plan! Our dad's even joining in! This might cause a bigger rift between him and mom, but for now, at least, it looks like we're his priority. Lydia's threat really did something to him.
Thanks everyone who left comments on the original post! I know they really cheered Nadia up when she was worrying about whether or not she was doing the right thing by choosing herself. Part of me wishes we could've taken this stand earlier, but it took us a while to find our voices. Looking into the future, I do see two empty spaces at my own wedding, but I also see five siblings cheering my on. I'm happy with that.
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Comments
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notanyonessunshine
Yes! Congratulations not only to Nadia but to all of you! I'm really happy with the update. Gosh! Your son would be so adorable got drowned by his aunt's cap lol I really hope Nadia will enjoy the rest of her summer before college starts. Maybe she'll have more daddy-daughter dates with your dad. Best of luck to Nadia, OP and your other siblings! I imagine Josh's 29th birthday will be a good one p/s: maybe I should start planning for my 29th too 😉 August is not too far away any more

OOP: Dad's currently filling his calendar with one-on-one days with all of us! I think Lydia's next up on his list. She definitely deserves it! My son did look adorable, but I may be biased there! Haha, Josh's birthday is at the very end of July, so we've got time yet. It's surprisingly less stressful without our mom's involvement. Who would've thought?

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Crazybutnotlazy1983
This will be the first major event since the wedding and her siding with Erin. If she and Erin do not come around do not include them. I see total "payback" from both of them.

OOP: Where we're at currently, we have no plans to involve them regardless. Josh has even asked dad not to tell them about any plans we make, and Dad has agreed. I hate that he's in the middle like this, but as long as he wants a relationship with all of his children, the middle is where he's going to have to be. Erin's supposed to leave for her honeymoon in the next few days, so I'm interested to see what Mom will fare now that none of her back-up children are speaking to her (aside from Lexie, of course)

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Ok-Cantaloupe-424
Has Erin lived at home all this time? It will be interesting to see how your mother reacts with "Erin the Perfect" gone on her honeymoon. You might have to update us!!

OOP: Erin moved out about a year ago, but I know she visits our parents a lot. I think they live pretty close (I have never been to Erin's place nor will I ever willingly go there).

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Update - 5 months later
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It's been about 5 months since I've last posted, and I've had some requests for an update, so I figured I'd sit down and write one up. Bare in mind, a lot can happen in 5 months, and that's definitely true for this!
Let me start off with July. Erin and George went on their Honeymoon, and their absence sent our Mom into a frenzy. She wasn't used to having no one around; someone was always visiting. Mostly Erin, but the rest of us would visit out of obligation and to see Nadia and Lexie. With Erin on her Honeymoon and the rest of us NC, Mom had no visitors and she really didn't like that. Literally the DAY after Erin left, we started getting bombarded with phone calls. She tried convincing Nadia first, which Lydia thought was a strategic move because Nadia is the more timid of all of us and, thus, more likely to be persuaded. When Nadia turned her down, she turned her sights on the rest of us. We all got identical phone calls with her trying to persuade us to go visit her, to understand her, to see things from Erin's perspective. She even brought up the circumstances of Erin's premature birth and how it was a miracle that she was even here. Josh told her to 'do better with Lexie.' Lydia blocked her number.
When the phone calls didn't work, she started turning up at our homes. She continued spewing much of the same shit she had over the phone and before the wedding. She didn't understand what she'd done so wrong, why we were treating her like this. She called me ungrateful and disrespectful. She accused us of harbouring 'unnecessary jealousy' towards Erin and that she loved us all equally. I didn't respond to these comments. I was just trying to prevent her from going inside and saying the same things to Nadia, who was with my partner and son in the living room. Her comments didn't deserve a response, and when she was done I asked her to leave as calmly as I could, but truthfully, I felt a little like crying. But who wouldn't feel shitty with their mom yelling in their face like that, trying to downplay years of pain and calling it 'unnecessary jealousy?'
My siblings and I have been let down time and time again by her and our dad ever since Erin was born. They missed out on so many things over the years, both big and small. But we had one thing. One thing. One thing that they never missed and we were happy with just that one thing, and that was our HS Graduations, but they couldn't give that to Nadia. All we had were our HS Graduations. They missed Josh's college graduation because Erin broke her leg. It was an accident, I get that, but they never made it up to him. They never celebrated this huge achievement afterwards, and he just had to grin and bear it. Our Mom didn't turn up to my partner's babysitter after making such a huge fuss about it because Erin didn't want to go and wanted them to get their nails done together instead.
​
But our jealousy is unnecessary?
Sorry.
I don't know how I managed to stay calm when she was yelling at me, but I did. Asking her to leave made her switch tactics though, and she started calling out for my son, trying to coax him to go to her and telling me that she had a right to see her grandson. My partner stepped in then, because she was seething, and took my place at the door. Mom yelled some more but she left when my partner threatened to call the cops.
Mom repeated this song and dance with my older siblings but similarly got nowhere with them.
Then came the Facebook posts. Indirect rants about ungrateful people and how shocking it is that 'some kids' could turn against their parents so easily. Erin somehow got involved while on her honeymoon and called Lydia to scold her for being mean to our mom. But as I've said before, Lydia is angry and she's had enough. Whatever she said to Erin prevented her from calling the rest of us.
There was then a Facebook post about how much it hurt to be kept from a grandchild. Now, there were no names mentioned, but there is only one grandchild and that is my son. My mom's sister called me. There was yelling. I blocked the number.
I know Dad was trying to convince our Mom to just... leave us alone. He kept apologizing because she just wasn't listening to him.
Erin came home after two weeks. She tried reaching out to Lydia again, asking for us all to talk because, and this is a quote from Lydia, 'clearly you (we) all have some issues to work out.' We did not turn up. Erin was very angry at that because she's not used to us turning up for her.
July wasn't all bad though. While our Mom was on a rampage, our Dad was still trying to do better by us. And he's improved a lot! In July, he and I went out for a meal together, just the two of us, and grabbed a drink, and he apologized. It wasn't a generic apology that he could've repeated to all of us, about how he's sorry that he hurt us and neglecting us, but he brought up specific instances that he wanted to apologize for. He thought back on all those years and picked out moments that he wanted to apologize to me for. I know he did the same for the others, but having him apologize for things like cancelling a fishing trip because Erin 'needed him' was something I wasn't expecting.
And I never really cared for fishing, but I wanted to go on that trip because I always saw it on TV, you know? I'd always see a dad and son fishing together and I wanted to have that. I wanted dad to prove that I was a priority to him somewhere deep down. It didn't happen, and I never asked again.
But we went fishing in July. What started as a trip between the two of us soon grew into a family day out when my siblings expressed an interest in going fishing, too. My brothers first, then Nadia, and even Lydia who hates the smell of fish. Dad brought Lexie and I brought my son, and it was great. It was one of the best days of my life. I suck at fishing, but I'm pretty great at collecting seashells. It was brilliant.
Our parents did end up arguing when Dad went home. I wasn't there, so I don't know every little detail, but from what Dad told me, the argument was mostly because Mom didn't understand why we were still in contact with him and not her. She found it insulting that we were repairing our relationship with him. She was angry that Dad wasn't pushing us to forgive her, or why he wasn't stopping us from 'acting out.' She was angry that he didn't extend an invitation to her and Erin for the fishing trip, and she was even angrier when he explained that their presence would make us uncomfortable.
Josh turned 29 and the end of July. We booked an escape room for the five of us siblings, then we met our dad and partners for dinner that evening. Josh introduced us to his new partner for the first time. All of our attention was on Josh, the day was completely about him, which was a first for our family. Then there was a party thrown for him by his friends which I came out of with a massive hangover.
Mom started giving us the silent treatment in the middle of August. Dad moved out in September. While we were getting the silent treatment, Dad was baring the brunt of her anger and it really took it out of him. He was trying to do better by us and she was trying to villainise us, and he ultimately told her that if she didn't take accountability for her actions soon, then he'd be contacting a lawyer. Mom didn't take him seriously. He's been staying in Lydia's guest room since.
Mom doubled down and said that he was blind for not seeing how we were manipulating him. Unlike the rest of us, Dad obviously still has regular contact with Erin—and according to him, she's even told Mom to reconsider. Unsurprisingly, Erin's involvement is what got Mom to relent. I'm not sure if she's thinking about how she's treated us, or if she's silently stewing. I know she asked Dad if he's going to move back home but he said that it was better for them to have space right now. Personally, I'm struggling to see an outcome where our Mom sincerely admits that she was in the wrong. I think she'll say it just to get Dad back home and the rest of us talking to her again. I don't think she'll ever hold us to the same level as Erin.
In brighter news, there's officially less than a year left until my own wedding. Currently, there is no place for my mom or Erin. My partner Jade and I are having our fathers wear ties that match me and my groomsmen, something I originally didn't plan to do, but I'm happy with the change. Nadia's settled in at college. She's made some new friends with kids in her classes, and she's enjoying. She's happy. Even though we have an active group chat, she facetimes me every few days just to talk. Most of what she says I've already read in the gc, but I'm always willing to listen to her stories again. Nadia never used to talk this much. She looks a lot happier now than she did five months ago.
I think that's everything. I'm sorry for the novel, but like I said, a lot can happen in five months.
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Comments from about 3 months ago(4 months after the last post)
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greenlightgaslight
Time for another update

OOP: I do plan on sitting down to write an update soon! A lot has happened over the last four months, both good and bad, that I wanted to let those of you cheering our family on know about!

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I am not the OOP. Please do not harass the OOP. Please remember the No Brigading Rule and to be civil in the comments

So one random day about 2 years ago a random Turkish Facebook account messaged me and started calling me, at first i thought it was some scammer but turned out to be just 2 chicks messing around and i just played along with it. With one of them i just started talking and we kind of clicked, but I've never taken it too seriously, this is the main girl, we'll call her H. To be completely honest i was just a trash guy that felt nothing towards H, however she fell for me and really started caring about me. H sent me nudes, as she said for the first time in her life and she was the initiator of all conversations. Looking back it feels like H always was head over heels in love with me without ever seeing me.
Fast forward about a year and a half, i started gaining a liking towards H as well, we started video calling like every evening. She would get mad when i chose gaming with the boys or going out and not gave time to her, it was really wholesome and one evening she surprised me, she told me that she got accepted into an Erasmus program in Italy, she was finally coming to Europe and we can meet each other. Honestly - I didn't believe that we would ever meet at first, but i started asking her around about her past relationships just feeling out her.
So allegedly H had one past relationship with a Spanish guy it was long distance as well, we'll call him M. She was madly in love with him, they've met in Istanbul once, only had two "very romantical kisses" and nothing else, yes she's still a virgin. That relationship ended abruptly when M's brother found out about that and apparently M was engaged and had a fiancé. H was absolutely heart broken, M's brother called her, started calling her names and told her the full story. She felt betrayed, lost and fell into a deep depression. This is a year before me and her started talking at all.
She came to Italy, everything was fine, she'd tell me about all the people she would meet, tell me about guys that were into her, honestly nothing out of the ordinary, because she is really beautiful and has this calm and collected aura around her. But what bothered me - she would tell me when she found guys handsome. The weird things started happening from then on, since she was Muslim in Italy was the first time she tried alcohol and there were a couple of club nights where she got so wasted she couldn't remember the night before, but she was always with a friend of hers that i trusted and that knew about our relationship, lets call her B.
There was one time that she went out to the club with her student friends and an incident happened - a guy left a hickey on her neck. She told me that while crying the next morning and she told me that it was abrupt and she didn't realize that that was happening, allegedly she was just dancing in the club with him, not romantically she said and he just went in for it from behind her. Allegedly she pulled him off with B and B told him "she's not a girl like that". H came out to me, told me everything about it, i trusted in her that that was a dumb mistake.(Remembering this now kind of makes me feel mad for not giving this that much thought)
Everything turned out ok, we continued talking, no more incidents happened, i didn't shit on her for that incident and i was happy that she was honest and actually as a person that has been more years in relationships in my life than not - i communicated from the beginning that honesty and truthfulness is my top priority in a partner. Honestly i was even a little snake in terms of that i never told her anything i didn't like that she said from the fear that she would close up. So i don't think i created an atmosphere where there would be a motive to keep any secrets, no matter what happened.
We continued talking and H kept pushing me to come to Italy and i will admit - that was way beyond my comfort zone, i told her that i would and that i need time to organize things. Things took a while and eventually she said "i'm sick of waiting, i'm coming to Lithuania myself". And guess what, she bought the tickets with a weeks notice for me. She was coming with her friend B that i had to drive to Latvia for her to meet up with her other friends. Basically after day 2 there would only be the 2 of us left, just me and H.
The day comes and i drive to pick them up from the airport i was anxious and nervous as shit. She comes out of the airport running to me, hugged me for a long time and it felt good. That's when i realized that i really like this girl. But i still have my doubts, i still think of the different cultures, how would she talk to my mother if we ever get married, what culture would our children be, how would i talk to her parents? Basically i didn't see long term viable at that point, in this i'm a piece of shit, because she was in this state of delusion that i'm her everything and i'm her last man ever.
So we live together for that week, we have good adventures, i show her and her friend around the city, outside of the city, they love everything, they're super happy. At night me and H are in the same bed, we kiss and it gets naughty, but at the back of my head i have this guilt of not seeing a future with H, so i don't commit to taking her virginity and we play around with everything around it and she was passionate as shit.
The time i spent with her was very lovely, it was honestly so refreshing and it kind of brought a new light for me, i started imagining the future together but still with many doubts. It is time for her to leave, she's clinged on to me, doesn't want to let me go, is really sad that she has to leave, but eventually she does and she has to leave to Berlin to live there.
Everything was fine, one night i went to play pool with a buddy that lives in the UK, for context he used to date a Chinese girl, we got a little drunk and high and i started talking about H, told him all my doubts and he kind of debunked them with his prior relationship. He basically left me feeling like maybe i should commit to H. He outlined that i do have a lot of prior trauma due to having so many relationships, having been cheated on, having been left for other men and basically i have a very thick shield and never let anyone close. That is very true and i knew the answer was to try to commit and so quietly i did.
H went to Germany, first she went to a city where her friend lives, they both had a good time, she sent me snaps and kept me updated, it was really nice, we continued calling each other. Now this is where the situation started, when she took the train to Berlin, she came in on Monday. She lived in some sort of camp seemed like, she disappeared for that day, in the evening she tried calling me and i called back in an hour. She looked normal to me and i tried asking her what did you do that day. At first she changed the topic, then i asked again - she said they went on a group trip, it was super fun. Then i asked again what happened, she told me this strange story about a guy that she called handsome to her friend in Turkish and was talking about him a lot. After a while the guy turned around and answered to them in Turkish, which made her feel really bad. Then i asked another time, what happened next - she said she got blackout drunk and doesn't remember anything....
Hmmmm. You got blackout drunk like a couple hours ago and now you seem normal talking to me... Alright, i got my suspicions up and reminded her that honesty is number one for me, she said she understands and is 100% honest with me.
Alright, the next day rolls around, LITERALLY THE NEXT DAY AFTER HONESTY CONVERSATION, she sends me a snap of her having lunch with her friend and some guy. I don't think much of it and in the evening we video call, i ask her about the day and she doesn't say anything about no guy, that is pretty weird knowing her past honesty. I directly confront her about it and tell her "What are you talking about, you sent me a snap with you and him at the table", she starts pulling all sorts of bullshit and says she only took pictures of food and sent me those pictures. Lo and behold the tables are black glass and there's a reflection of a dude sitting on his phone at the table. At first she start pulling more shit "I don't see anyone, maybe it's a waiter, i don't know what you're talking about" and i tell her stop acting stupid.
She then starts crying and says that she promised a friend to keep that guy's presence there a secret. Allegedly he's getting an unlawful marriage with his fiancé that neither his nor his fiancé's parents can know about. Wow, what the actual fuck? Who would've i told, going to lunch with guys in secret is normal? Anyway, i told her that she broke my trust and i'm not sure if there's possibility of recovering this. She started begging while crying and said she'd do anything to fix it and that it was a stupid mistake. Alright, i tell her that it will need time, but that she will have to be 100% honest with me. Another talk about honesty.
Next day rolls around and i'm suspicious, i started checking her instagram activity and snap location(very not healthy, i know). i see instragram last active 7h ago and same in snap, all gucci - she asleep. Next time i check - instagram activity has been turned off and snap last active 9 hours ago? I confront her as soon as she gets on snap, which is about 6 hours from the first check. We call and she says she wasn't on insta and she didn't turn off shit. I asked her to share screen and show me - she was messaging B 5 hours ago :)
So i told her that the first mistake i was willing to work through, even though we had a convo literally a day before it. But now this.... I told her that i can't see me trusting her ever again and now she's crying and begging me for days, she gave me all her social media passwords unasked, she said she can delete everything and disappear from everyone's lives except mine. She's basically non stop begging me for forgiveness and saying she'll do anything to fix it and that she will never forget me if she looses me.
She then proceeded to trauma dump me how her father was never present in her life, she never even touched his hand, how she would get beaten by her father side aunts and grandmother, they allegedly kept her starving while her father was not present. They had to hide food because that would get taken away from them and shit. And call me whatever, but at that point, i heard that voice lying though it's teeth, i just did not know what to trust and if this is a manipulation tactic to become a victim.
So this is the part where i need advice, i left it off by saying we'll be friends from now on, we can keep contact and if you ever earn back my trust maybe something will come of it. But I'm very conflicted, i don't know if i can ever trust her again, her behavior after we met turned really shady. What would you do in this situation? AITAH if i leave her?
I left some context out because it turned out way longer as is, ask in the comments if any questions arise.

So one random day about 2 years ago a random Turkish Facebook account messaged me and started calling me, at first i thought it was some scammer but turned out to be just 2 chicks messing around and i just played along with it. With one of them i just started talking and we kind of clicked, but I've never taken it too seriously, this is the main girl, we'll call her H. To be completely honest i was just a trash guy that felt nothing towards H, however she fell for me and really started caring about me. H sent me nudes, as she said for the first time in her life and she was the initiator of all conversations. Looking back it feels like H always was head over heels in love with me without ever seeing me.
Fast forward about a year and a half, i started gaining a liking towards H as well, we started video calling like every evening. She would get mad when i chose gaming with the boys or going out and not gave time to her, it was really wholesome and one evening she surprised me, she told me that she got accepted into an Erasmus program in Italy, she was finally coming to Europe and we can meet each other. Honestly - I didn't believe that we would ever meet at first, but i started asking her around about her past relationships just feeling out her.
So allegedly H had one past relationship with a Spanish guy it was long distance as well, we'll call him M. She was madly in love with him, they've met in Istanbul once, only had two "very romantical kisses" and nothing else, yes she's still a virgin. That relationship ended abruptly when M's brother found out about that and apparently M was engaged and had a fiancé. H was absolutely heart broken, M's brother called her, started calling her names and told her the full story. She felt betrayed, lost and fell into a deep depression. This is a year before me and her started talking at all.
She came to Italy, everything was fine, she'd tell me about all the people she would meet, tell me about guys that were into her, honestly nothing out of the ordinary, because she is really beautiful and has this calm and collected aura around her. But what bothered me - she would tell me when she found guys handsome. The weird things started happening from then on, since she was Muslim in Italy was the first time she tried alcohol and there were a couple of club nights where she got so wasted she couldn't remember the night before, but she was always with a friend of hers that i trusted and that knew about our relationship, lets call her B.
There was one time that she went out to the club with her student friends and an incident happened - a guy left a hickey on her neck. She told me that while crying the next morning and she told me that it was abrupt and she didn't realize that that was happening, allegedly she was just dancing in the club with him, not romantically she said and he just went in for it from behind her. Allegedly she pulled him off with B and B told him "she's not a girl like that". H came out to me, told me everything about it, i trusted in her that that was a dumb mistake.(Remembering this now kind of makes me feel mad for not giving this that much thought)
Everything turned out ok, we continued talking, no more incidents happened, i didn't shit on her for that incident and i was happy that she was honest and actually as a person that has been more years in relationships in my life than not - i communicated from the beginning that honesty and truthfulness is my top priority in a partner. Honestly i was even a little snake in terms of that i never told her anything i didn't like that she said from the fear that she would close up. So i don't think i created an atmosphere where there would be a motive to keep any secrets, no matter what happened.
We continued talking and H kept pushing me to come to Italy and i will admit - that was way beyond my comfort zone, i told her that i would and that i need time to organize things. Things took a while and eventually she said "i'm sick of waiting, i'm coming to Lithuania myself". And guess what, she bought the tickets with a weeks notice for me. She was coming with her friend B that i had to drive to Latvia for her to meet up with her other friends. Basically after day 2 there would only be the 2 of us left, just me and H.
The day comes and i drive to pick them up from the airport i was anxious and nervous as shit. She comes out of the airport running to me, hugged me for a long time and it felt good. That's when i realized that i really like this girl. But i still have my doubts, i still think of the different cultures, how would she talk to my mother if we ever get married, what culture would our children be, how would i talk to her parents? Basically i didn't see long term viable at that point, in this i'm a piece of shit, because she was in this state of delusion that i'm her everything and i'm her last man ever.
So we live together for that week, we have good adventures, i show her and her friend around the city, outside of the city, they love everything, they're super happy. At night me and H are in the same bed, we kiss and it gets naughty, but at the back of my head i have this guilt of not seeing a future with H, so i don't commit to taking her virginity and we play around with everything around it and she was passionate as shit.
The time i spent with her was very lovely, it was honestly so refreshing and it kind of brought a new light for me, i started imagining the future together but still with many doubts. It is time for her to leave, she's clinged on to me, doesn't want to let me go, is really sad that she has to leave, but eventually she does and she has to leave to Berlin to live there.
Everything was fine, one night i went to play pool with a buddy that lives in the UK, for context he used to date a Chinese girl, we got a little drunk and high and i started talking about H, told him all my doubts and he kind of debunked them with his prior relationship. He basically left me feeling like maybe i should commit to H. He outlined that i do have a lot of prior trauma due to having so many relationships, having been cheated on, having been left for other men and basically i have a very thick shield and never let anyone close. That is very true and i knew the answer was to try to commit and so quietly i did.
H went to Germany, first she went to a city where her friend lives, they both had a good time, she sent me snaps and kept me updated, it was really nice, we continued calling each other. Now this is where the situation started, when she took the train to Berlin, she came in on Monday. She lived in some sort of camp seemed like, she disappeared for that day, in the evening she tried calling me and i called back in an hour. She looked normal to me and i tried asking her what did you do that day. At first she changed the topic, then i asked again - she said they went on a group trip, it was super fun. Then i asked again what happened, she told me this strange story about a guy that she called handsome to her friend in Turkish and was talking about him a lot. After a while the guy turned around and answered to them in Turkish, which made her feel really bad. Then i asked another time, what happened next - she said she got blackout drunk and doesn't remember anything....
Hmmmm. You got blackout drunk like a couple hours ago and now you seem normal talking to me... Alright, i got my suspicions up and reminded her that honesty is number one for me, she said she understands and is 100% honest with me.
Alright, the next day rolls around, LITERALLY THE NEXT DAY AFTER HONESTY CONVERSATION, she sends me a snap of her having lunch with her friend and some guy. I don't think much of it and in the evening we video call, i ask her about the day and she doesn't say anything about no guy, that is pretty weird knowing her past honesty. I directly confront her about it and tell her "What are you talking about, you sent me a snap with you and him at the table", she starts pulling all sorts of bullshit and says she only took pictures of food and sent me those pictures. Lo and behold the tables are black glass and there's a reflection of a dude sitting on his phone at the table. At first she start pulling more shit "I don't see anyone, maybe it's a waiter, i don't know what you're talking about" and i tell her stop acting stupid.
She then starts crying and says that she promised a friend to keep that guy's presence there a secret. Allegedly he's getting an unlawful marriage with his fiancé that neither his nor his fiancé's parents can know about. Wow, what the actual fuck? Who would've i told, going to lunch with guys in secret is normal? Anyway, i told her that she broke my trust and i'm not sure if there's possibility of recovering this. She started begging while crying and said she'd do anything to fix it and that it was a stupid mistake. Alright, i tell her that it will need time, but that she will have to be 100% honest with me. Another talk about honesty.
Next day rolls around and i'm suspicious, i started checking her instagram activity and snap location(very not healthy, i know). i see instragram last active 7h ago and same in snap, all gucci - she asleep. Next time i check - instagram activity has been turned off and snap last active 9 hours ago? I confront her as soon as she gets on snap, which is about 6 hours from the first check. We call and she says she wasn't on insta and she didn't turn off shit. I asked her to share screen and show me - she was messaging B 5 hours ago :)
So i told her that the first mistake i was willing to work through, even though we had a convo literally a day before it. But now this.... I told her that i can't see me trusting her ever again and now she's crying and begging me for days, she gave me all her social media passwords unasked, she said she can delete everything and disappear from everyone's lives except mine. She's basically non stop begging me for forgiveness and saying she'll do anything to fix it and that she will never forget me if she looses me.
She then proceeded to trauma dump me how her father was never present in her life, she never even touched his hand, how she would get beaten by her father side aunts and grandmother, they allegedly kept her starving while her father was not present. They had to hide food because that would get taken away from them and shit. And call me whatever, but at that point, i heard that voice lying though it's teeth, i just did not know what to trust and if this is a manipulation tactic to become a victim.
So this is the part where i need advice, i left it off by saying we'll be friends from now on, we can keep contact and if you ever earn back my trust maybe something will come of it. But I'm very conflicted, i don't know if i can ever trust her again, her behavior after we met turned really shady. What would you do in this situation?
I left some context out because it turned out way longer as is, ask in the comments if any questions arise.

There are some "Hidden Gems" / call backs in Almighty So 2 referencing previous moments in Sosa's career if you happen to notice.
1. First, being the legendary Michael Blackson being featured on the Jesus Skit just like the skit from Bang 2 #getyoshittogether #youRG2lookinmf #$8
2. In Sosa's verse on "Jesus", he says ,"N**** thinkin' he a P, N**** you put the P in PRANK" & "Ridin' with an AR, We put the A&R in rank!" just like he did with the song "Himalayas" from the legendary tape, "Sorry 4 the Weight" with the similar word-play throughout the song : "B**** I put the E in White, b**** I put the E in Red, B**** I put the E in R***RDED, Guns that pull up and leave Dead!"
3. In "Too Trim", we get the line , " & this life a n**** live will make ya nervous!" - an almost direct line from Fredo Santana in his song, "Nervous".
4. We can't help but recognize hearing Chief Keef's late Grandmother's sound bite on "Believe" - originally from the "Everyday's Halloween" music video where she questions the actions of her grandson, "I don't know who's gon' get famous for this sh*t! ... But I tell you one thing, when they make it, they leave!" A powerful quote considering the audio was captured before Sosa's big rise in music. (You can hear Tadoe mid sentence replying, "I said we gon' get famous!")
5. In "Tony Montana Flow", we hear Keef speaking with a girl over the phone. At the end of the song you hear Sosa ask the girl in a unmistakably similar tone, "You drunk?"- which gives reference to the song, "Love No Thotties" where another girl is asking him when he's going to "come out here" (fly to her state) he replies asking her the same. (She assures him it would be in his benefit) Unimpressed, he tells her, "Yo ass DRUNK!" when she asks what he said, he replies, "You drunk."
These were things I picked up on and appreciated considering some of those gems go back over 10 years ..
Did you guys notice some or all of the references while you were listening ?
Which ones are you just now finding out about?

Reddit Account: u/Jon_Reid
Discord Tag: roylion44
Name and House: Damon Manderly
Age: 34 Cultural Group: Andal
Appearance: Damon has dark long shoulder length hair, a full beard and dark eyes. Tall, broad shouldered and muscular, the Lord of White Harbor is often seen in his dark armor and a trident as his staff of office. :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/jason-momoa_0-da8e73e0459d48ba92735e84d4aa4fea.jpg)
Trait: Mariner
Skill(s): Admiral, Merchantman (e), Architect, Avaricious
Talent(s): Swimming, Play (Lute), Navigation
Negative Trait(s):
Starting Title(s): Lord of White Harbor, Warden of the White Knife, Shield of the Faith, Defender of the Dispossessed, Lord Marshal of the Mander, Knight of the Order of the Green Hand, Knight of the Order of the White Hand.
Starting Location: Opening Event
Alternate Characters: N/A

AC

Name and House: Alaric Manderly
Age: 22
Cultural Group: Andal
Appearance: A younger version of his elder brother with dark hair and closely cropped beard.
Trait: Inspiring
Skill(s): Vanguard (e), Ambusher
Talent(s): Heraldry, Hawking, Horse riding
Negative Trait(s):
Starting Title(s): Ser, Knight of the Order of the White Hand.
Starting Location: White Harbor
Alternate Characters: NA

Archetypes
Wyman Manderly (uncle) - Castellan
Desmond Manderly (uncle) – Master-at-Arms

Biography

Lord Damon Manderly was born in 9 BC, the eldest born son of Lord Medgar Manderly and Iolande Ashford, the widow of Ser Torgen Tallheart and the mother of two small sons. At some point after her husband’s death Iolande returned to her parents’ home in Ashford, a rather impoverished widow and berefit of financial support for her two young sons. Iolande petitioned Medgar’s friend Lord Torrhen Stark of Winterfell for help in working out her financial plight. Lord Stark sent his friend Medgar the Lord of White Harnbor to investigate and the two fell in love and married in 10 BC, a year before Damon was born.
The birth of Damon was followed by that his younger brother Daron two years later in 7 BC during which his mother died in childbirth. In 2 BC when Damon was seven years old, he was sent to be fostered in Winterfell while his brother Deron was sent to the family of their grandmother - the Ashfords.
Damon was raised in the court of Lord Torrhen becoming familiar with the culture, education, and institutions of his host and making friends with the grandsons of Torrhen Stark who was of age. One of those was his cousin Rickard Snow, the son of Eddard Snow, one of the bastards of Lord Torrhen who had married his father’s younger sister Margaery Manderly.
In 5 AC when Damon was fourteen and still a squire, Torrhen Stark bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror. The resulting rebellion called The Son’s War - a rebellion in the North against the surrender of Torrhen Stark. Led by the Heir to House Bolton, thousands of angry Northmen are crushed in battle by Torrhen Stark. Several of the defeated members flee east to form the Company of the Rose, including Eddard Snow and his son Rickard.
In 9 AC Damon was knighted by Torrhen Stark, as per his father Lord Medgar’s request, but despite this Damon, as his father’s heir, remained at Winterfell. His father, who had remarried to Myranda Hornwood, by then had many more sons, and hence made no overtures for his oldest two sons to return. Instead, Eddard, the eldest paternal half-brother of Damon, egged on by the support of his father’s second wife Myrcella, had been designated by Lord Medgar as heir to White Harbor, in his absence. Despite Lord Medgar’s violating of the laws of inheritance, Lord Torrhen chose not pursue the matter for the moment.
Damon notably chose to stay with his foster family, partly due to the influence of his raising at the court of Torrhen Stark and partly for the opportunity it would present to advance his career, though he may always have had in mind that one day he would become White Harbor’s lord, like his father and grandfather. To that end he developed an interest in architecture. Lord Torrhen assigned him to his team of engineers who were responsible for maintain Winterfell’s fortifications and other structures. (Architect). At the same time Damon’s work in this area developed his aptitude for driving a hard bargain (Avaricious) in negotiation.
In 14 AC, when Damon was 23 years old, Lord Torrhen Stark was overthrown and assassinated, after he informed his children of his intent to back one of the Dragon Queens. Damon’s father Lord Medgar, suspecting foul play from one or more of the Stark siblings loudly called for justice for the late lord, a close personal friend of his, prompting Damon to fear that he was no longer welcome in Winterfell.
The next year, Lord Regent Orys Baratheon called a grand hunt in the Kingswood. For the first time in many years Damon met his father Lord Medgar, his full brother Daron and his younger half-brothers and sisters when the Mandely family accompanied the new Lord Alaric south. The grand hunt would end in disaster as bandits would descend upon the hunting parties and kill or carry off many nobles. One of the victims was Damon’s brother Daron. The disaster in the Kingswood would eventually lead to most of the Starks returning to Winterfell but Lord Alaric remained along with Damon himself in order to exact revenge on the bandits.
As a youngster, Damon had always had an aptitude for the sea, something he had missed with his time in inland Winterfell. (Mariner) Now with his journey south first to White Harbor and then travelling by sea to Kings Landing he rediscovered his youthful passion. He began spending his time down at the docks in Kings Landing and much of his time on some of the warships of the royal fleet. He found that he had a natural aptitude for naval manoeuvres and over the next few years he commanded a small contingent of royal ships, refining and improving these skills (Admiral).
In 23 AC, Lord Medgar and his eldest son by his second wife and designated heir Eddard Manderly, a young man of 23 years old, were ambushed by crannogmen when they went to investigate the ruins of Moat Cailin. Medgar was killed and Eddard was mortally wounded in the same fight and died some days later. Medgar’s other sons 22 year old Emmon and 19 year old Edgar managed to escape the crannogmen and with the help of retainers and Lord Medgar’s brother Desmond returned safely to White Harbor.
A power struggle for the control of White Harbor now ensued. Lord Medgar’s younger brother Desmond Manderly took the opportunity to seize White Harbor attempting with Lord Medgar’s widow Lady Myranda to make young Emmon Manderly the new lord of White Harbor with himself and his sister-by-law as regents and ruler. His father’s death allowed Damon, as Lord Medgar’s eldest son to lay claim to White Harbor attempting to depose his uncle. Concerned about the growing power of White Harbor Lord Alaric, now serving as the realm’s Master of Laws in exchange for an oath of fealty to his person, Lord Alaric publicly invested Damon Manderly as Lord of White Harbor. Lord Stark placed Damon in charge of a force with the task of securing his claim. Defeating his uncle in a pitched battle, Damon deposed and imprisoned his half-brother Emmon, his uncle Desmond and his sister-by-law. Not wishing to kill his younger brother and uncle, Damon kept Desmond in close but comfortable confinement at White Harbor, while Emmon, (now effectively his heir) was exiled, so as not to be tempted to make another attempt on ruling White Harbor. Emmon went to King Landing south where he was stabbed to death in a brawl in Flea Bottom by a Westerlands knight of House Clifton. Shortly after the Lady Myranda died of illness, but some say of grief and despair at the loss of her husband and two eldest sons.
Since his elevation to the Lord of White Harbor, two years ago, Damon has made concerted efforts to further develop White Harbor’s trade links. A trade fleet has been constructed and Damon has sent out feelers to some of the city states of Essos (Merchantman), in particular Braavos. Seeking further links Damon has now travelled south to Kings Landing for the princes’ 18^th name day celebrations.
Timeline

• 9 BC – Damon is born the eldest son of Lord Medgar and his first wife Iolande Ashford.
• 7 BC – Damon’s younger full brother Daron is born, but their mother dies in childbirth.
• 2 BC – Damon is fostered at Winterfell while his brother Daron is fostered with his mother’s family.
• 1 AC – Lord Medgar marries as his second wife Myranda Hornwood. Their eldest son Eddard (Damon’s eldest half brother) is born the same year.
• 2 AC - Emmon Manderly is born.
• 3 AC – Alaric Manderly is born.
• 4 AC – Edgar Manderly is born.
• 5 AC – Torrhen Stark bends the knee to Aegon the Conqueror.
• 6 AC – Ellyn Manderly is born.
• 8 AC – Alesander Manderly is born.
• 9 AC – Damon is knighted at the age of 18.
• 12 AC – Mara Manderly is born.
• 14 AC – Daven Manderly is born. Torrhen Stark is assassinated.
• 15 AC – Damon’s father Medgar is present at King’s landing for the great hunt. Bandits attack and kill many including Damon’s 21 year old brother Daron Manderly.
• 23 AC – Lord Medgar Manderly and his eldest son by his second wife Eddard are killed in battle against the crannogmen near Moat Cailin. Damon;s younger half brother Emmon Manderly and his uncle Desmond claim White Harbor, but are defeated by Damon and men leant to him by Alaric Stark. Desmond places under house arrest and Emmon is exiled.
• 24 AC – Emmon Manderly dies in a knife fight in Kings Landing against a knight of House Clifton.
• 25 AC – Damon travels to King Landing for the 18^th name day of the Targaryen princes.

Family Tree – 25 AC

Here

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[Discord] [Buy me a coffee]
Chapter 21: Reborn
Gribble sitting alongside his grandfather, Gorp, at a serene lake nestled in the heart of a lush forest. The gentle lapping of the water against the shore and the melodic chirping of birds create a peaceful atmosphere. Gribble's small, green hands grip a fishing rod, his eyes fixed on the unmoving line, frustration etched across his youthful face as time passes without a single catch. The sun's warm rays dance upon the lake's surface, casting a golden glow on the tranquil scene, yet Gribble remains oblivious to the beauty surrounding him, consumed by his growing impatience.
Gorp, a wise and patient goblin with a wrinkled face and kind, knowing eyes, notices his grandson's mounting frustration and offers a reassuring smile. With a gentle touch, Gorp places his weathered hand on Gribble's shoulder, his presence alone seeming to calm the young goblin's restless spirit. In a voice filled with wisdom and understanding, Gorp imparts a profound piece of advice that will forever shape Gribble's perspective: "Patience, my dear Gribble, is the bridge to success; when coupled with an unwavering belief in oneself, it becomes an unstoppable force, capable of overcoming even the most daunting of challenges."
As these words resonate deep within Gribble's mind, the peaceful scene begins to fade, the colors blurring and the sounds growing distant. The harsh reality of the present situation comes crashing back, and Gribble finds himself torn from the comforting memory, thrust once more into the dangerous reality of the cave and the looming threat of the Thundercat
Gribble lies on the cold, hard ground of the cave, his small body battered and bruised from the Thundercat's relentless assault. The air is thick with the scent of blood and the tang of fear, as Gribble struggles to catch his breath, each inhalation sending shockwaves of pain through his weakened frame. The Thundercat looms over him, its massive form casting a sinister shadow across the cavern floor, its electric blue fur crackling with barely contained energy. The creature's eyes gleam with a predatory hunger, its gaze fixed upon the helpless goblin, as if savoring the moment before delivering the final, fatal blow.
Gribble's heart races, his pulse pounding in his ears like a frantic drum, as he stares into the face of death itself. The Thundercat's hot breath washes over him, carrying with it the stench of primal ferocity and unbridled power. Gribble's own breath comes in short, desperate gasps, his lungs burning with the effort of drawing in the damp, musty air of the cave. The cold tendrils of fear wrap around his soul, threatening to suffocate him with their icy grip, as he confronts the terrifying realization that his life hangs in the balance, dependent upon the whims of the savage creature that towers above him.
In this moment of absolute horror, Gribble's mind races, desperately searching for a way out, for some glimmer of hope amidst the overwhelming darkness. He knows that he must act quickly, that hesitation will surely spell his doom, but his body feels leaden, weighed down by the burden of his injuries and the paralyzing fear that grips his heart.
In a last-ditch effort to save himself from the Thundercat's impending attack, Gribble musters the remnants of his strength, drawing upon the very last reserves of his power. He calls out to the earth, seeking to summon the dormant life that lies beneath the cave floor, hoping against hope that his earth vine powers will answer his desperate plea. Gribble's mind races as he focuses all of his energy on this single, crucial task, his brow furrowed in concentration, his eyes squeezed shut as he wills the vines to burst forth from the unyielding ground.
The thick green vine is sluggish in its movements, its progress hindered by the unnatural environment of the cave, but still, it inches forward, guided by Gribble's unwavering determination.
Gribble's heart leaps with a sudden surge of hope as he watches the vine snake its way towards the Thundercat, a small, defiant spark igniting within his chest. He knows that this is his only chance, that the success of his plan hinges upon the strength and speed of the vine, and he pours every last ounce of his will into the endeavor. The vine quivers and strains, as if struggling against an invisible barrier, but Gribble refuses to yield, his mind locked in a silent battle of wills with the very earth itself.
As Gribble watches the vine's sluggish progress, a sudden flash of inspiration illuminates his mind, and a daring plan takes shape. With renewed focus and determination, he directs the vine's growth, shaping and molding it with his earth magic, willing it to take on a new, more deadly form. Slowly, the tender green tendril begins to elongate and narrow, its tip sharpening into a wicked point, until it resembles a crude but effective spear, poised to strike at the heart of the Thundercat.
Gribble's eyes narrow as he concentrates on the newly-formed vine spear, his body trembling with the effort of maintaining his mental grip on the volatile plant matter. The spear quivers in the air, its tip aimed squarely at the Thundercat's broad, muscular chest, as if seeking out the creature's vital organs with a hunter's precision. Gribble's breathing grows shallow and rapid, his heart pounding against his ribcage as he prepares to unleash the improvised weapon, knowing that this single strike may well determine the outcome of the battle, and perhaps, the very course of his life.
With a final, desperate surge of energy, Gribble thrusts his hand forward, his fingers splayed wide as he channels every last ounce of his power into the vine spear. Time seems to slow to a crawl as Gribble watches the spear's progress, his heart in his throat, his eyes wide with a mixture of hope and fear, as he silently prays for the success of his gambit
The vine spear’s sharpened tip finding its mark with a sickening thud as it pierces the Thundercat's muscular chest. The creature lets out a deafening roar of pain and surprise, its voice reverberating through the cave like a clap of thunder, as it staggers backward, its electric blue fur standing on end. The Thundercat's eyes widen in shock and disbelief, its gaze fixed upon the slender green tendril that protrudes from its body, as if struggling to comprehend the reality of its own vulnerability.
Gribble watches in stunned amazement as the mighty Thundercat, the very embodiment of primal power and ferocity, begins to falter, its movements growing sluggish and uncoordinated. The creature's massive frame shudders and convulses, its muscles rippling beneath its fur as it fights to remove the vine. The Thundercat's breaths come in short, ragged gasps, its eyes growing dim and unfocused as the life slowly drains from its body, until at last, it collapses to the ground, a final, shuddering sigh escaping its lips.
The cave falls silent, the only sound the steady patter of the rain outside and Gribble's own labored breathing, as he struggles to come to terms with the magnitude of his victory. He stares at the Thundercat's lifeless form, scarcely daring to believe that he, a small, unassuming goblin, could have felled such a formidable beast. A mixture of relief and exhaustion washes over Gribble, his limbs trembling with the aftershocks of the intense battle, as he slowly begins to process the implications of his triumph.
Gribble crawls towards the fallen Thundercat, his movements slow and painful, each breath sending a fresh wave of agony through his battered body. As he nears the creature's lifeless form, an inexplicable urge takes hold of him, a primal desire that he can neither explain nor resist. Before he can question the impulse, Gribble finds himself drawn to the Thundercat's still-warm chest, his hands moving of their own accord as they seek out the beast's most vital organ.
With trembling fingers, Gribble carefully parts the Thundercat's thick fur, revealing the smooth, blue skin beneath. He hesitates for a moment, his mind reeling at the thought of what he is about to do, but the compulsion proves too strong to ignore. With a deep breath and a quick, decisive movement, Gribble plunges his hand into the Thundercat's chest, his fingers closing around the creature's still-beating heart. The organ pulses in his grasp, its rhythm slowing as he carefully extracts it from the Thundercat's body, a faint crackle of residual electricity dancing across its surface.
Gribble brings the heart to his lips, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and anticipation, as he contemplates the enormity of the act he is about to commit. The coppery scent of blood fills his nostrils, mingling with the damp, earthy smell of the cave, as he parts his lips and takes a tentative bite of the Thundercat's essence. The taste is overwhelming, a flood of rich, primal flavors that dance upon his tongue, setting his senses alight with a rush of power and vitality unlike anything he has ever experienced. The world narrows to a single, focus point, as if the universe itself is holding its breath, waiting to see what awestriking abilities Gribble will gain from this bold act of consumption.
As Gribble swallows the last morsel of the Thundercat's heart, an electrifying surge of power courses through his veins, setting every nerve ending alight with a tingling, almost painful sensation. The goblin's small frame begins to tremble and convulse, his muscles twitching and spasming as the creature's essence merges with his own life force. Gribble gasps as he feels his body start to change, subtle shifts taking place throughout his musculature and skeleton that quickly escalate into all-consuming physical transformations as the potent powers from the heart take hold.
Gribble's once small, wiry muscles begin to bulge and swell, expanding with newfound strength and vitality, as if the Thundercat's raw power is being transmuted directly into his own cells and sinews. His scrawny limbs thicken and lengthen, the sudden growth of his body accompanied by shooting pains and cramps, as he undergoes an accelerated metamorphosis. The goblin's stature increases rapidly, his height multiplying at an astonishing rate, until he towers over his former self, a new, imposing figure of raw power and potential.
But the changes do not stop with his musculature alone. Gribble's senses sharpen to a degree he would never have thought possible, his eyes able to penetrate the thick darkness of the cave without hindrance, every detail of his surroundings now clear and sharp as if bathed in the bright light of day. The goblin's ears twitch and thrum with a newfound sensitivity, able to pick up the tiniest sounds and vibrations from the depths of the cave. Most astonishing of all, sparks of brilliant blue electricity emerge through the hairs on Gribble's arms, dancing and pulsing with a life force that both fascinates and terrifies him. He has been reborn, a product of the powers that now surge within, his body and mind irrevocably altered by the essence of the Thundercat.
As the initial shock of the transformation begins to subside, Gribble becomes aware of a soothing warmth spreading throughout his body, a sensation that stands in stark contrast to the pain and exhaustion that had plagued him mere moments before. The goblin looks down at his battered and bruised form, his eyes widening in astonishment as he watches the myriad wounds and gashes that mar his skin begin to knit together before his very eyes, the flesh mending itself at an impossible rate.
Deep lacerations seal shut, leaving behind only faint, silvery scars that quickly fade into nothingness, as if erased by an unseen hand. Ugly purple bruises that had blossomed across Gribble's body, testaments to the savage beating he had endured at the claws and fangs of the Thundercat, now rapidly diminish in size and color, until they vanish entirely, leaving his skin unmarked and pristine. Even the bone-deep aches and pains that had settled into Gribble's joints and muscles dissipate, replaced by a newfound sense of strength and vitality that courses through his veins like liquid fire.
As the healing process nears its completion, Gribble slowly rises to his feet, marveling at the ease with which he can now move, his body no longer weighed down by the burdens of injury and fatigue. He flexes his fingers experimentally, feeling the raw power that thrums just beneath the surface of his skin, a barely contained energy that whispers tantalizing of limitless potential. A sense of invincibility washes over the goblin, the knowledge that he has not only survived the brutal encounter with the Thundercat but emerged stronger and more powerful than ever before. Gribble's gaze hardens with a newfound sense of purpose, steadied by the certainty that he can now overcome any obstacle that dares to stand in his path.
Even as Gribble revels in the rush of power and the exhilaration of his miraculous recovery, a faint shadow begins to creep across the edges of his consciousness, an unsettling presence that lurks just beyond the reach of his newfound senses. It is a darkness that seems to emanate from deep within his own being, a nebulous entity that tugs at the corner of his thoughts, whispering of hidden costs and unspoken dangers.
The goblin tries to shake off the growing sense of unease, pushing the troubling thoughts aside as he focuses instead on the incredible changes that have taken place within his body, marveling at the raw strength and vitality that now course through his veins. Yet, even as he seeks to bask in the glow of his transformation, the darkness persists, hovering at the edge of his awareness like a silent, watchful specter.
As Gribble moves through the cave, his steps imbued with newfound purpose and power, he cannot escape the nagging feeling that something fundamental has shifted within him, a subtle alteration that goes beyond the physical changes he has undergone. It is as if the essence of the Thundercat, now intertwined with his own lifeforce, has brought with it a touch of something primal and untamed, a wildness that threatens to consume him from within. The goblin's heart begins to race, a sense of trepidation rising in his chest as he ponders the implications of this strange, unsettling presence, wondering what price he may ultimately pay for the powers he has so eagerly embraced.
Driven by an instinctive need to escape the confines of the cave and the lingering presence of the fallen Thundercat, Gribble makes his way towards the entrance, his steps steady and purposeful, imbued with a newfound sense of strength and determination. As he nears the mouth of the cave, the sound of the pouring rain grows louder, the steady patter of droplets against stone echoing through the cavernous space like a ghostly drumbeat.
Gribble steps out into the downpour, his body immediately assaulted by the cold, stinging droplets that fall from the sky in an unrelenting torrent. The water sluices over his skin, running in rivulets through his hair and down his face, yet the goblin barely registers the sensation, his body thrumming with the power of the Thundercat, the electricity that courses through his veins keeping him warm and insulated against the chill of the rain.
He tilts his face upwards, his eyes closed as he allows the water to wash over him, a silent, almost meditative gesture that speaks of a desperate need for cleansing and renewal. The rain beats down upon Gribble's body, as if seeking to purge him of the darkness that has taken root within his soul, to wash away the lingering traces of the Thundercat's essence that now mingle with his own. Yet, even as the water pours over him in an unending stream, the goblin knows that some stains are too deep to be cleansed by mere rain alone, that the changes that have been wrought within him are irrevocable and permanent.
As Gribble stands there in the pouring rain, he catches a glimpse of his reflection in a nearby puddle, the image distorted and rippling with each falling droplet. The face that stares back at him is at once familiar and utterly alien, a strange amalgamation of the goblin he once was and the creature he has become. Gone is the scrawny, unassuming figure that had entered the cave, replaced now by a being of raw power and untamed potential.
Gribble's once wiry frame is now corded with muscle, his body honed and sculpted by the Thundercat's essence, every sinew and fiber imbued with a strength that defies belief. His eyes, once a dull, unremarkable shade, now glint with a predatory intensity, the pupils narrowed to vertical slits that seem to pierce the very darkness itself. The goblin's skin, too, has undergone a transformation, the surface now alive with tiny bolts of blue electricity that dance and crackle with each movement, a testament to the power that flows through his veins.
As he stares at his altered reflection, Gribble is struck by the realization that he is no longer the same goblin he was before, that the experiences he has undergone and the powers he has absorbed have changed him in ways that go far beyond the physical. He senses a new hardness within himself, a steely resolve that was absent before, tempered by the trials he has faced and the darkness he has embraced. The goblin knows that he has crossed a threshold, stepped into a realm of power and potential that few of his kind have ever dared to tread, and that there can be no turning back from the path he has chosen.
As the initial rush of adrenaline and euphoria begins to fade, Gribble is struck by a profound and unsettling realization, a truth that settles over him like a leaden weight upon his soul. The powers he now possesses, the incredible abilities granted to him by the consumption of the Thundercat's heart, have come at a terrible cost, a price that he is only now beginning to comprehend.
Gribble senses that a part of himself has been lost, consumed by the very darkness that now resides within him, a fundamental piece of his being that has been forever altered by the merging of his essence with that of the Thundercat. It is as if a shadow has fallen over his spirit, a veil of darkness that threatens to engulf the very core of his identity, to erode the values and beliefs that once defined him.
The goblin's mind reels as he ponders the implications of this realization, the knowledge that he has willingly embraced a power that may ultimately consume him, body and soul. He wonders what challenges lie ahead, what trials he will face as he navigates this new and uncharted realm of existence, and whether the strength he has gained will be enough to see him through the darkness that surely awaits.
As Gribble stands there in the pouring rain, his body thrumming with power, his mind haunted by the specter of an uncertain future, he knows that he has set foot upon a path from which there can be no retreat. The goblin steels himself, his jaw set with grim determination, as he prepares to embark upon a journey that will test the very limits of his newfound abilities, and perhaps, the very essence of his being. With a final, lingering glance at the cave that has borne witness to his transformation, Gribble turns his face to the storm and steps forward into the unknown, ready to embrace the challenges and dangers that lie ahead.

I just need a space to rant, so I thought "hey, everybody here is probably LGBT, so why not".
For the record, I (21M) am single currently but wanting to date with the intention of getting married, so obviously I'm not married yet nor dating anyone at the moment yet (but I do wanna date with the intention of getting married). Also, I am only out to my two older sisters and both my mom and dad- but not to anyone else in my family outside of that. Grandparents, aunts and uncle, grand aunts, and cousins on both sides DO NOT KNOW. With the exception of my immediate family- parents and siblings- no one in the rest of my family knows that I'm gay. Not even one cousin. Just them. I'm basically my family's dirty little secret.
So, I'm Achillean (attracted to men and non-women, male-aligned genders). My entire family and immediate family is what you would call "trad caths". They are Gheg Albanians, Catholic, and conservative- especially in terms of gender and sexuality. I came out as gay to my immediate family when I was 15. My two older sisters (both of whom are in their early thirties) are very accepting of me being gay (yes, I told them that I'm "gay" just to make it simpler for them and also my sexuality has definitely changed as I have gotten older since coming out). My parents though is a bit funny- my mom, for lack of better words, tolerates me being gay in the sense that I just "haven't found the right woman yet". She thinks I'm eventually gonna end up with a woman later in life. It's annoying. My dad though is even more "funny", I didn't came out to him until I was maybe 20- but when I came out to him he said that he already knew beforehand I was gay but just didn't told me about it because he admittedly snooped around my Notes app and found my detailed (and embarrassing) notes of me writing down very explicit "descriptions" let's put it (use your imagination) about my attractions towards men (yes, I have no privacy in this home, and I still live with my parents because I don't have enough money to move out on my own) and he too is similar to my mom. They're both "okay" with me being gay- but ideally they want me to get married to a woman and think I will eventually. And that is the extent to which my entire family knows.
My aunts (paternal and maternal) and my only one maternal uncle (my moms brother) don't know, my paternal grandmother doesn't know, both sets of my moms parents (so my maternal grandparents) do not know- to which my mom has said to me that not only can they not know that I'm gay but that, and to quote my mom, "I have to k*ll them first before I ever can tell them that you're gay"- including their siblings (so my grand-aunts), and all my cousins (paternal and maternal) don't know, to which I can count maybe 3 that would actually attend my wedding if it were to happen. To put it short, 99.9% of my family are traditional, Catholic Albanians. One more important note, is that it's not very common that my family has sons in general- my maternal 2nd cousin has two sons, and my other second cousin has only one son, while my dad has no male cousins or uncles (only aunts, like my mom does)- in fact, my mom has only one brother (and one other sister) and my dad is the only son of two sisters in his family (and funny enough, yes, I'm the only son of two sisters in the family too, so it's both a big deal and a funny quirk that runs in our family for there to be only sons among all daughters). Also, my blood-family is 99% women- so aunts and grand aunts, grandmothers, LOTS of female cousins (I can count only 3 male, blood-related cousins in my entire family, both sides)- with the only men in my family not being blood related but being men who married into the family (so, cousin in-laws) and even there's not that many of them.
I say all of this to say that me being the only, remaining male in my entire immediate family is a very big deal. I am the only one in my immediate family who will carry on the last name. Sons in my family's culture are a BIG big deal. And I've met most of my family before, and I have 99% female cousins with most male "cousins" being essentially what you'd describe cousin in-laws. I got one other uncle and he's my moms brother. Me being the only son, and therefore the only one to carry on the last name in my family and with it the bloodline being traced through the last name, is a BIG DEAL. Add the cherry on top: they are traditional, conservative Catholics. If the rest of my family were to ever find out that, me being my moms only son, I'm gay and will marry a man...holy f*ck. I don't know what to think.
The sh*tstorm will be intense. Albanians are the biggest sh*t-talkers. They WILL talk sh*t about you behind your back. I love my ethnicity, but my ethnicity are the biggest gossipers. To add, Albanians are very judgmental and will judge you in front of other members of the family. The aftermath will be catastrophic: My maternal grandparents will never talk to both my mom and dad because how dare they produce a gay grandson, an only son at that, so you both failed as parents and you failed at being a mom because how can you produce a gay son? My paternal grandmother (so my dads mom and the matriarch) will absolutely lose her sh*t- how dare her only son produce a gay grandson, the last and only remaining male in the entire family of all daughters who is supposed to carry on the already patrilineal bloodline. I am the last remaining man in my family to carry on the last name, to which my family- if it isn't obvious enough- is patrilineal. My maternal cousins in Michigan are Trump supporters, and still are. They rest of my cousins and family who live in Europe are ALL devout Catholics, and my family takes the faith very seriously. Almost no body in my family will ever come to my wedding, save for three or four cousins I can count, maybe.
I really don't want to sound transphobic, please forgive me guys, but I pray to God that I hope I'm not gonna fall in love with someone who's non-binary. The absolute hell that would happen! Hell will be unleashed. Oh my God- not only will for sure 99.9% are not gonna come- but my immediate family with be a joke to the rest of my family. What, the only son is marrying someone's who's "non-binary"? What did that family do to their son? My family will look at my family and me too as a failure. Also, I don't think my mom and dad will EVER accept my fiancé being non-binary as they think being trans is a mental illness, let alone even come to my wedding. My God, what will my family think if my fiancé is non-binary? They're gonna k*ll me. They're gonna think something is wrong with me. I don't even wanna think too much about it.
Oh, I forgot to mention: they are no way gonna accept ME- the only son- hyphenating my last name! THEE family name.
"What, you're the only son, you're a man, you shouldn't be taking anyones last name, they should"
"What, no, you're not gonna hyphenate your name. Why would you do that? You're the man"
That's how trad cath they are. Me, the only son of all daughters, corrupting the family name just to hyphenate it? Unacceptable to them. They are Catholic, Albanian, and traditional- in that order. Also, for sure there's no way I'm gonna get married in the church- for very obvious reason.
I know my best friends will come, but I have like only five or six close friends that I feel like I would call my "best friends" as I don't talk to a lot of people from high school or college anymore. My older sisters will come. My mom and dad will, hopefully, come- assuming it's gonna be a cis man, otherwise, they're never gonna come to my wedding if my fiancé is a trans man or non-binary. The other 99.9%, yeah, they not gonna come.
What should I do when sh*t eventually hits the fan? What should my mom and dad do? What the heck are my parents supposed to do when the time comes and they have to explain to everyone in the family why their only son is getting married to a man- or a non-binary person- along with the aftermath of it all? How are they gonna explain to their parents? Sisters? Cousins?