"Just Sayin"

I happened to drive downtown last night and noticed the fairgrounds was lit up with the yearly advent of the fair. The lights presenting all of the rides and side shows looked so festive and inviting. I chuckled and wanted to stop and take a picture because it reminded me of several things we say in our family. Each member knows what they mean and they are said in jest most of the time.



1. FAIR anyone?


When the kids were little, one of them would invariably inform me that something was out of whack in their world. We have all heard, "It's not fair!" As they grew older and had learned that life simply wasn't always fair (but still struggling with the concept) we would say lovingly, "You know, the fair only comes to town once a year!" They may not have been eager to hear it but they understood the concept. Today, when someone may be grumbling, one of their siblings will invariably take pleasure in noting that the fair isn't always in town. This is usually a light-hearted reminder that even though life isn't fair, it is good and usually diffuses the bruised feelings.

The fair only comes to town ONCE a year

2.  SHOULD?

As we have grown up together as a family we can now recognize when someone is giving unwanted advice. As a general rule, we try not to give advice unless it is asked for. (More difficult than it would appear and not always the case!) It is very tempting to jump in when someone is explaining what they did or something that didn't go quite as they expected and exclaim, "What you Should have done is..."

Now when we are aware that we think we have the answer or someone does jump in with the unasked for opinion it is fun and a good reminder to just listen when we joking say, "Ya know, what you SHUDA done is..."

What Ya SHUDA done is....

3.  ADULT?

I think my all time favorite is when my newly hatched legal adult would exclaim, (usually in exasperation over something that we have not allowed) "But I'm 18!" Oh my, the things that went through my head. But I would calmly say, "You are absolutely right. And about the only thing 18 will get you is real jail!" That usually did it.

The only thing 18 will get you is real jail!

It is nostalgic and comforting to revisit some humorous family sayings. What are some fun themes in your family?