Elusive Sincerity

...which would be a good band name if you were extremely emo and highschool.

I got another package today, with not one, but THREE notes. SUPER BONUS! There was also a small book and a wrapped box with what appears to be a purse inside. (It was sorta dented, I haven't actually opened the box...) While none of the letters were particularly long, I just thought I should share them, especially in light of recent correspondences.

One of the letters was (despite my firm insistence that I will not be converting) from a Rabbi in the area where Dr.G's mother lives. The letter was really addressed to Andrew, but my name was written (in her hand) in at the end. (This is the second letter like this I have received. It makes me think she is not telling these Rabbis the whole story, otherwise, why would they not put my name on the document?) It detailed some of the various approaches to conversion etc. Nothing rude, obviously this man was just doing his job and that's fine, but I really am getting tired of this lady's utter denial of the fact that I'm not becoming a Jew. Ever. And I'm not sorry about it. And no Rabbi would convert someone who wasn't absolutely prepared and interested in doing so. Goodness!

What was more entertaining was the letter written by MILP herself.


Dear Catherine,
I would like to welcome you with warmth + love to visit our home in sunny Florida this August.

I will pay all travel/air expenses.
You will have a breakfast/brunch with my closest friends.
You'll want to meet our wonderful Rabbi to understand the requirements of marriage into the Share family. RSVP soon.
Love, [MILP]

Short, but jam packed with WTF. First of all, accusing someone of seducing and controlling their son to further their own agenda must be part of the whole "welcoming" process that I'm not familiar with. Warmth + Love! BFFS 4 EVAR!

I also like the declarative "YOU WILL DO THIS" and "YOU WILL WANT" bits. No, I will not want to, thank you. I want you to listen to your son (primarily) and me (if you have time) so you can stop making a fool out of yourself and alienating your family further.

The problem here is really just that MILP had a dream, a plan for her family. However, contrary to her understanding, I am not the reason these plans are not coming to fruition. Her own dysfunctional relationship with her family has soured two of her three sons to the concept of marriage. It's a small wonder that Dr. Genocide is marrying me. (That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I am THAT EFFING AWESOME. Or I just seduced him... I forget...) Dr. G confided in me that practically all of his experiences with Judaism were negative, and he wasn't jumping at the chance to pass those on to any children.

This discussion ended before the guy even met me!

Poor Dr. G tried talking to her on the phone, but failure was abundant. At this point, the poor guy is pretty much just done talking to her. At all. I think somewhere in her mind she thinks that if she gave him an ultimatum, he'd pick her and his faith over me. Um... wow. I hope it never gets to that, for her sake.

Really, I'm not mean, I don't hate the woman- I just wish she'd really listen. With actual listening. For listening purposes. Then we could all just stop spinning our wheels and get on with our lives.

I talked to my own mother today about this- in an attempt to come up with an appropriate response to this letter. (I can't make the trip as I have a strict externship schedule I need to adhere to through November.) I think my next step (aside from sending her a 4 page letter that just reads 'BEES BEES BEES') is to tell her that I love her son, and he loves me- unconditionally. It has nothing to do with religion or expectations, unlike her own feelings about both of us (well at least me... I'm ruining her son, he's faultless of course). But who knows how that will go.

Who wants to contact Lifetime about optioning my blog? ;)