How Relative Are Relatives?

Question

Oh, no! Is this just another Freud vs. Jung redux question? Or a feeble excuse to pun a question in Yahoo Answers? Or both? Or neither?

Did you ever forgive your Aunt Martha for slobbering all over you when she kissed you? Or thank your Uncle John for not offering you his advice?

Seriously, how profound or how minimal were the influences, the emotional baggage or the positive outlook, of relatives to how your life has evolved?

Can any of us honestly say we’ve made a complete break from these influences?

Answer 1

When I was young, I doted on all of my relatives thinking they were the best thing since sliced bread.

As I grew older and realised they were like everyone else; 'Looking out for number one', I still clung to the belief that the 'larger' family unit was best and it was what made us strong.

Now entering the 'autumn' of life, I 'think I know' for a fact that 'relatives' are actually not that important. (Unless they are also your 'friends'). Infact they clutter your life with unnecessary diversions including emotional and time-wasting.

Immediate family is what matters.
Relatives? Well you can't choose them, but you can do without them in most cases.

Cheers,

Pete.