Venting.

[Carolina Kiltman]

Ill elderly (comparatively) relatives can be a pain in the posterior! But charity is always the best thing. Being an invalid, even temporarily, can be most irritating and distressing to the person who is normally active. Been there, done that.

Jeans are, to my mind, an invention of the devil unless worn where a heavy fabric is necessary for safety. Light weight slacks (trousers) are much more comfortable. (Of course when I was growing up, all the boys wore short trousers in summer and knickers (plus fours for the Brits) in the winter.

[1oldsarge]

Take him to the Tilted Kilt (restaurant and pub) in downtown San Diego and buy him a beer. While wearing the kilt..........

[Doomsday]

Patrick,
If you made the long journey from Alaska to our Golden State for the sole purpose of comforting your ill uncle in the hospital, then it seems that going the extra mile and wearing clothing that makes him comfortable is a small sacrifice. Family is family, and a kilt is a bit of cloth. You can change into it after your visits.

Very, very, true. Please don't hurt your relationship with your uncle over something as minor as a kilt. I want to stress, that when I mentioned confronting him, I meant it in the kindest possible manner. You obviously care deeply for your uncle and it sounds like he cares about you as well. You know your situation better than any of us, so please take any advise I give with a bit of salt. If you don't care for advise just let us know, and I am sure we will all let you vent. But, know that we hear you and that we do care. Good on ya for taking your time and spending it with your uncle.
Cheers, Geoffrey

[Rigged]

Sometimes people don't know when to just shut up and let things be. When it's a relative it can really hurt. When asked to not wear the kilt I might have said, "Well, if you insist, I'll wear trousers next time, but you'll be bored then, won't you?"

[Ruanaidh]

What do the nurses think about the kilt? A pretty nurse saying "There's nothing sexier than a man in a kilt" or "Your nephew certainly wears that kilt well" would probably change many a mind.

[Ozman1944]

Aren't relatives fun? Sounds like a reincarnation of my late Uncle Jack. Just take a deep breath, and remember it takes all types to make a world. He's obviously a man of a different era, and not adjusted to the world as it is nowadays.
Uncle Jack used to say; (groan!) "In my day, men were men, and women were glad of it!"


So what do you do, but grin & bear it, I guess. Sorry you're having such a hard time of it. No good deed ever goes unpunished, as they say.

[Mr. Woolery]

Well, thank you all for your kind wishes!

My uncle is out of the hospital, so I am essentially doing home care at this point. His doctor advised him to spend 5 to 10 days in a nursing facility, but since I am here...

Yeah.

His operation was spine surgery to correct a herniated disk that was pressing on the spinal nerves and could have paralyzed him. I came to make sure he had what he needs and to care for his home and his dog. He came home day before yesterday and is doing well.

Today, he shanghaied me into an OA meeting where he spent about 10 minutes (felt longer, but I was watching the clock) talking about his hospital experience. And my kilt. And my apparent lack of masculity was strongly implied. At length.

It doesn't matter whether I wear the kilt or trousers, he is going to talk about my kilt to anyone who will stand still long enough to listen. I'm just getting tired of it. Very tired of it. Told the same guy about it twice today. Twice. Today. Same guy.

I really appreciate the offers of company, but I'll probably be escaping, er, ah, departing on Monday. Tomorrow is full with emptying and cleaning his pool (which he has not used in years) since he doesn't want to pay a pool service to do it when he has me here. I'm just plain tired, as you can probably understand. Thank you so much, though.

He's a decent man, well meaning, and I do love him. However, he simply can't comprehend that the world does not revolve around him. Anything I do or say or think is less important than what he wants. He never had children or any other reason to really learn that sometimes selflessness is possible and good. I did a lot of growing up when my first child was born and he's never been willing to make that commitment.

Hector, thank you for what you said. While Panache is probably right as far as preserving family harmony, you said exactly what I feel. Glad to know I'm not a monster for thinking it.

Anyway, probably won't be on the computer again before Wednesday (it will be late Tuesday night before I get home), so I'll likely miss any other commentary between now and then. I sure miss my wife and kids right now.

Thanks for letting me vent.

-Patrick

[Joe Gondek]

You can choose your friends but not your relatives

I feel for you

[Galb]

Heh, you may want to educate the old codger on the traditions and attire of some of the toughest and well dressed men this world has seen; the Scottish Highlanders. Followed by a piper played Scotland the Brave and then samples of some Scotch afterwards. Perhaps then he might not be so judgmental. ;)

[meinfs]

Sounds like he already has you in his sights and will not let off. So just wear your kilt because it won't make a difference to him at least. Perhaps print a copy of the the Kilts & Tartan eBook and give it to him.