Don't want to attend sister's wedding

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My sister has spent the last 4 months not speaking to me. She was in a car accident one night on her way to talk to this guy she had been pining over for a year. Problem was that he was living with the mother of his child that they’d had out of wedlock four years ago and my sister knew that people didn’t approve of her trying to break them up (he always told my sister that him and baby mommy were just roommates :rolleyes:). She was embarrassed apparently because the accident happened right at the street where she was turning in to go see him. When my mom and I arrived at the scene of the accident, she said that she was mad at my brother for telling us about the accident and she didn’t want us there. I couldn’t believe she was being so rude and telling us to leave when we had just come to see if she was ok or if she would be going to the hospital… I said “Ok, you don’t want us here? Got it.” I started to walk away and she yelled after me, “I’m at the tippy top of what I can handle right now and I don’t need this from you!!!” I turned around and yelled back, “YOU are the the top of what you can handle? Maybe I’M at the top of what I can take from YOU!!!” My sister had taken on the perception that somehow my dad’s death hurt her more than it hurt the rest of us, and I hadn’t said a word to her about it but I WAS FED UP with her selfish attitude.

I tried to call her several times the next day to clear the air and she wouldn’t answer her phone. She finally texted and said she was dealing with insurance stuff. I asked her if that meant she couldn’t answer the phone or if she wouldn’t. She said she wouldn’t. A few days later I tried again. No answer. A few hours later, a text saying her phone was on silent or something. I asked her if I called her, would she pick up. She said no. I made one more attempt and she shut me down again so I gave up.

Fast forward four months. She’s engaged now to this guy. She got him to kick his girlfriend out and proclaim his love for my sister. Two months later and they are engaged to get married two months from now. The dilemma: I used to be a florist, owned my own flower shop. I got a text announcing she was engaged the night of her engagement. A few days later, another text asking if I would do her flowers and telling me I HAD TO SAY YES because she’s waited so long to ask me to do her wedding flowers. I said that I would do them, and did not ask for any discussion of the past. At this point, I certainly felt hurt that she had ignored me up until the time she now is needing something from me. She did drop a hanging basket off on my front porch 3 days before her engagement (I’m pretty sure she knew it was coming since they’d planned a weekend away with friends and family she wanted to witness the engagement) which I see now as a way to butter me up.

She has asked her future sil to be a bridesmaid and my brother to be a groomsmen and my daughter to be a junior bridesmaid. So, I’m feeling like- I’m good enough to do her flowers pro bono but not good enough to be in her wedding. Then she asked me to attend a family barbecue to meet her fiance’s side of the family. (In my other thread “Brother taking advantage of mother”, I detail the huge falling out my brother and I had just a month ago regarding his handling of mom’s finances after our dad died just over a year ago. My brother and mother aren’t speaking to me and my sister is now inviting me to this family barbecue? I told her I’m not up to that, but that I would do her flowers. She sent me this loooong text tonight telling me how I didn’t know how much emotional pain she was in the night of her accident and that her attitude toward me that night had nothing to do with how she felt toward me but the fact that I would jump to such a conclusion immediately hurt her very deeply. She said she hasn’t spoken to me since then because she feels like I’m expecting an apology and she doesn’t feel like she owes me one.

I don’t even want to GO to this wedding now. What would you do? I want to hear how you guys would handle this…?
 
Is she getting married in the Church? Seems like getting married two months after getting engaged, after only two months of dating, would not be sufficient time to prepare for marriage.

How old are you and your siblings?
 
I am sorry that your family is putting you through this.

What I would personally do, is attend the wedding and emotionally seperate myself for a bit from them. I would not get into any conversations about past things with them for a while -even after the wedding.

Just do your obligation as a sibling. By not attending is prolonging the drama, adding to it and making your own life miserable. Take the high road but protect yourself with this plan.

From this point on, forgive them, yet put up boundaries for your own peace. By texting, quibbling, rehashing and so on, is just frustrating to you, and this is not working to bring closeness. So back off with that, and just show up to important things-weddings, holidays, sacraments and so on, until you are ready. But now is not the time-things are too fresh.
 
Is she getting married in the Church? Seems like getting married two months after getting engaged, after only two months of dating, would not be sufficient time to prepare for marriage.

How old are you and your siblings?
No, she is not catholic. I converted 12 years ago. I am 40, she is 33 and my brother is 34.
 
I second mommy K’s post, that sounds like the best course of action in this situation.
 
I am sorry that your family is putting you through this.

What I would personally do, is attend the wedding and emotionally seperate myself for a bit from them. I would not get into any conversations about past things with them for a while -even after the wedding.

Just do your obligation as a sibling. By not attending is prolonging the drama, adding to it and making your own life miserable. Take the high road but protect yourself with this plan.

From this point on, forgive them, yet put up boundaries for your own peace. By texting, quibbling, rehashing and so on, is just frustrating to you, and this is not working to bring closeness. So back off with that, and just show up to important things-weddings, holidays, sacraments and so on, until you are ready. But now is not the time-things are too fresh.
Thank you for your thoughts/advice. I do feel like I need my space. Every time I interact with them I come away feeling confused/hurt/angry/belittled. It hasn’t been positive for at least the past 6 months. Even her long text last night only left me in tears and I think she thought she was doing us some good. She asked me how I would best like to go about fixing things between her and I. I don’t know what to say!!! I don’t want to tell her how hurt I’m feeling because I know that she just wants to enjoy her wedding in 8 short weeks from now. The only reason she is coming to me now to ask this is because she wants my help with the wedding. She has asked for help from me to find the venue, plan a menu, talk decor, plan her flowers. Things I would think her bridesmaids would be doing. How do I TELL her I’ll do her flowers but leave me out of the rest if it without causing drama?
 
Kittery

I think Mommy K (#3) has the right answer, as other posters have already said. Go through the motions. Do the flowers, go to the wedding, try not to be hostile to anybody – but you’re certainly under no obligation to go out of your way to be nice to people. It’s possible, though it’s not easily done, to be coldly aloof without being impolite. Staying away would be the worse option because it would give your sister another argument to use against you.
 
I think Mommy K has the right answer, as other posters have already said. Go through the motions. Do the flowers, go to the wedding, try not to be hostile to anybody – but you’re certainly under no obligation to go out of your way to be nice to people. It’s possible, though it’s not easily done, to be coldly aloof without being impolite. Staying away would be the worse option because it would give your sister another argument to use against you.
Thank you. I like this explanation. I agree. I Definitely don’t want to make this about me. I’m just feeling sooo beat up and used, it’s hard to go and appear upbeat and happy.
 
Thank you for your thoughts/advice. I do feel like I need my space. Every time I interact with them I come away feeling confused/hurt/angry/belittled. It hasn’t been positive for at least the past 6 months. Even her long text last night only left me in tears and I think she thought she was doing us some good. She asked me how I would best like to go about fixing things between her and I. I don’t know what to say!!! I don’t want to tell her how hurt I’m feeling because I know that she just wants to enjoy her wedding in 8 short weeks from now. The only reason she is coming to me now to ask this is because she wants my help with the wedding. She has asked for help from me to find the venue, plan a menu, talk decor, plan her flowers. Things I would think her bridesmaids would be doing. How do I TELL her I’ll do her flowers but leave me out of the rest if it without causing drama?
Me, personally, I would tell my sister we can talk later after the wedding about fixing things–now is not the time.
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I would also tell my sister that I would be happy to help with the flowers, but the other things ahe would have to give to some bridesmaids or maid of honor so the responsibilites are not just for one person. I am sure she will agree, it’s a lot for one person to do.

Just Keep things surface, and don’t be dragged into an emotional debate.
 
Me, personally, I would tell my sister we can talk later after the wedding about fixing things–now is not the time.
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I would also tell my sister that I would be happy to help with the flowers, but the other things ahe would have to give to some bridesmaids or maid of honor so the responsibilites are not just for one person. I am sure she will agree, it’s a lot for one person to do.

Just Keep things surface, and don’t be dragged into an emotional debate.
Ok. This definitely is helping. I’m feeling a lot more clarity and I can get on board with this plan. I realize now that my gut says I have to go to the wedding, and hearing it here several times already confirms that. I don’t want to add fuel to the fire- that I am absolute on. Thank you for your thoughtful, insightful advice:blessyou:
 
I am sorry that your family is putting you through this.

What I would personally do, is attend the wedding and emotionally seperate myself for a bit from them. I would not get into any conversations about past things with them for a while -even after the wedding.

Just do your obligation as a sibling. By not attending is prolonging the drama, adding to it and making your own life miserable. Take the high road but protect yourself with this plan.

From this point on, forgive them, yet put up boundaries for your own peace. By texting, quibbling, rehashing and so on, is just frustrating to you, and this is not working to bring closeness. So back off with that, and just show up to important things-weddings, holidays, sacraments and so on, until you are ready. But now is not the time-things are too fresh.
Well stated.
 
However you feel, going to the wedding is a kind and charitable thing do - and it may mean more to our sister than you think it does. I hope all goes well for you, and that you manage to restore a good relationship with your sister. 🙂
 
Weddings can very easily be a pain in the, uh, lower body, particularly when this kind of negative juju has been unleashed; but if you skip it, you will only add one more level to the grief on all sides.

I’d say go and count it toward your penance.

ICXC NIKA
 
Thank you for your thoughts/advice. I do feel like I need my space. Every time I interact with them I come away feeling confused/hurt/angry/belittled. It hasn’t been positive for at least the past 6 months. Even her long text last night only left me in tears and I think she thought she was doing us some good. She asked me how I would best like to go about fixing things between her and I. I don’t know what to say!!! I don’t want to tell her how hurt I’m feeling because I know that she just wants to enjoy her wedding in 8 short weeks from now. The only reason she is coming to me now to ask this is because she wants my help with the wedding. She has asked for help from me to find the venue, plan a menu, talk decor, plan her flowers. Things I would think her bridesmaids would be doing. How do I TELL her I’ll do her flowers but leave me out of the rest if it without causing drama?
Don’t tell her how hurt you are feeling. Do her wedding flowers and be there for her at her wedding for the sake of the “big picture.”

Sometimes, we have a duty to burn bridges. This is not one of those times. Help her out, let her choose her bridesmaids, and don’t be on the list of people who get their noses bent out of shape because they aren’t in a place of honor at a wedding that–let us be frank–they think is ill-considered in the first place. Hmmm?

She may be headed for some really hard times. If nothing else, she’s biting off being a step-mother and having to cope with her husband’s ongoing relationship with the mother of his child. Keep yourself in a position to bring God’s mercy into her life. Whatever you do for her that is not appreciated or reciprocated, God will repay you for. When God repays, it is always more than anyone else footing the bill could have done for you.

So where does she “get hers”? She doesn’t. You give when you have to give, you apologize when in your material or spiritual or physical limitations you don’t have the things to give that she needs. For those things, commend her to God. Remember that you will be dealt with by Heaven as you deal with her. Err on the side of mercy. When you have a position of trust or honor to give out, however, you do not have to lie and give her a position that she does not deserve. She will have given you room for that by having left her out of her wedding. That may turn out to be a favor to you, in the long run.
 
“Coldly aloof?” Don’t do that. Others will notice and take note. Instead be charming and gracious. “Rise above the fray,” so to speak. That will put you in good standing with everyone, and that is the memory and impression you want to make. Hard? Yes, but it is what Jesus would do. Think that you are attending the “Wedding in Canna.”👍
 
“Coldly aloof?” Don’t do that. Others will notice and take note. Instead be charming and gracious. “Rise above the fray,” so to speak. That will put you in good standing with everyone, and that is the memory and impression you want to make. Hard? Yes, but it is what Jesus would do. Think that you are attending the “Wedding in Canna.”👍
Good point. Thankfully the wedding is on a Sunday, so I will have attended mass and will have the fresh blessings on me from the Eucharist. I will need Jesus’ help to do as you’ve described. But I can do it.
 
Good point. Thankfully the wedding is on a Sunday, so I will have attended mass and will have the fresh blessings on me from the Eucharist. I will need Jesus’ help to do as you’ve described. But I can do it.
Good! Yes! By relying on grace, you can do it, and when you grow old you can look back and be glad that you did it. Being patient and kind even when others are not exactly passing kindness class with flying colors is a work of mercy. Namely, it is the spiritual work of mercy called “bearing wrongs patiently.”

This is, after all, the kind of thing that makes those who knew you look back on your life and say, “Now she was a class act” and “She knew what love meant and the real meaning of service” and “She was there for me even when she had every right to wring my neck.”

For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit (is) that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." Luke 6:32-38
 
Good! Yes! By relying on grace, you can do it, and when you grow old you can look back and be glad that you did it. Being patient and kind even when others are not exactly passing kindness class with flying colors is a work of mercy. Namely, it is the spiritual work of mercy called “bearing wrongs patiently.”

This is, after all, the kind of thing that makes those who knew you look back on your life and say, “Now she was a class act” and “She knew what love meant and the real meaning of service” and “She was there for me even when she had every right to wring my neck.”

For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit (is) that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." Luke 6:32-38
Very wise and holy advice. Thank you.
 
I am sorry that your family is putting you through this.

What I would personally do, is attend the wedding and emotionally seperate myself for a bit from them. I would not get into any conversations about past things with them for a while -even after the wedding.

Just do your obligation as a sibling. By not attending is prolonging the drama, adding to it and making your own life miserable. Take the high road but protect yourself with this plan.

From this point on, forgive them, yet put up boundaries for your own peace. By texting, quibbling, rehashing and so on, is just frustrating to you, and this is not working to bring closeness. So back off with that, and just show up to important things-weddings, holidays, sacraments and so on, until you are ready. But now is not the time-things are too fresh.
This advice is spot on. I can’t recommend better.
 
I agree that Mommy K has offered very good advice on how to deal with this.

But I also want to pick up on a few issues, that Monicad and EasterJoy have touched on.

Firstly, your sister has reached out to you. This could be because she loves you and wants to heal your relationship, or it could be because she wants something from you. The problem from your end is that you’ve jumped to the least charitable interpretation of her actions that you possibly could. And this is, frankly, an unChristian thing to do. We are called to avoid such assumptions, and to assume the best motives in others as much as is possible. So, in all you actions going forward now, you must take the assumption (until or unless her behaviour suggests otherwise) that your sister is genuinely trying to reconcile with you.

Secondly, I agree with others that it seems your feelings are hurt by not being in the bridal party here. It is pride that is clouding your feelings towards your sister. There is nothing to be gained from holding on to any resentment regarding this. And as EasterJoy noted, it’s a wedding you object to anyway…why would your sister think you’d want to be involved?

Thirdly, if you expect this marriage to be troubled, you should try your best to remain a source of grace and strength for your sister if she needs you.

Forthly, and please take this with the best of intentions - if you are having trouble with your sister, your brother, and your mother - that’s a lot of people at once you are having trouble with - it may be that all the trouble is all created by them, but at some point we each need to consider that if I am having problems with several people at once, maybe the common factor is actually me. What am I doing to cause or aggravate these dramas?
 
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