The starter pistol has fired and we're off.
I asked politely if the invitation to the anniversary do included my sister and boyfriend.
Answer was 'of course not!'
'Why not?'
'You know what we believe....even though you've rejected it!'
'So why are you inviting me?'
'Because you're married and not living in sin.'
'But, if the Yorkshire Ripper were to come to your cong. and he was invited to a party you would go happily.'
'But he's a repentent sinner...she (meaning my sister) is not.'
'How do you know he's a bloody repentent sinner!? He says there's no need to cry over spilt milk, meaning his victims.'
'Well my conscience would trouble me to make the rest of the family associate with a practising sinner!'
'But it wouldn't trouble you to sit with the Yorkshire Ripper! Mum you've go a serious loose screw problem!'
'You...you....you believe every bit of rubbish you read on the intenet!'
'Yes, and you believe every bit of rubbish from the WTBTS!'
'Ah well, the bible says that a man's enemies will be members of a man's household. And you always hurt those that you shouldn't and...'
'Oh shut up talking rubbish and stick to the topic here.'
'Right...can the children come to the Memorial!'
'No!'
'Why not. You said you'd always let them chose their own religion.'
'Yes absolutely. The younger ones are too young to associate with cults and the older ones have got more sense!'
'So they can't come?'
'No!'
'Right.....I'll ask your cousins if they mind associating with your sister.'
'That would be a very good thing to do. I think you'll be surprised at their answers. (I hope I won't be shocked!)
'Right, we'll see and I'll let you know what they say.'
And that was that.
Not as bad as I expected.