Family Ties? Who's family?

I am trying to figure out just what planet my mother lives on these days. She seems to have lost all touch with this one. Let me explain.

For many years my mom has always said she loves the closeness of our family. Apparently we have different ideas of what a close family is. We all live within several miles of each other but do not see each other all that often. Family functions are the primary times. Or so it used to be.

Last Sunday my brother had a BBQ to celebrate his daughter's birthday. They do it every year and always the same weekend. The past 2 years my parents decided to plan vacations for that weekend. So this year when they didn't, we all thought they would be attending. Okay, in fairness they did show up. They stayed for maybe an hour. The entire time my mom made sure to say repeatedly that they would not be staying long since they had another party to go to. Now correct me if I am wrong, but wouldn't your 10 year old grand daughter take priority here? The party they were going to was at a friend's house. They have commented in the past about how they are not all that close to these people. In any event, off they go to this other party. I should also point out that the weekend before my sister had a party for her daughter and my parents were there early and were among the last to leave about 6 hours later.

A little while after my parents left my brother's house, my sister's daughter took a knock to the head when she walked behind the swing set. Because she fell on her butt and looked a little dazed, my paranoid brother-in-law called an ambulance. (That is a whole other story and by the way, she is fine). So, off go my sister, her husband, and my niece to the hospital. They left their son behind at the party. It was not very long after that my mom shows up to pick up my nephew. I guess none of the other 8 - 10 adult relatives are capable of watching a 7 year old boy? Now my brother is hurt and rightfully so. Not only was his family put aside when my parents left initially, but apparently my sister's kids are top priority.

Fast forward to Tuesday. (Yesterday). My daughter developed a fever while in school. Since Swine Flu is a scare these days, the school demands that you pick up the child immediately and keep them home an extra day. My wife also works in a school but, in another district. She knew it would take time to get home and I work even further away. So she called my mom. In the past my mom has told us many times that if we ever have an emergency she is here to help. Well, I guess she didn't think this was so important. She was asking what time Katie gets off the bus. My wife explained that she had to be picked up. So mom says, "You mean like now?" "Oh I don't know. I really have....." At this point my dad tells my mom to forget it. He will pick her up. I think he sees the favoritism being shown here. Why is it that my mom can drop everything to go get a grandson that is fine with other relatives, and yet can not take 20 minutes to pick up a sick grand daughter? All she had to do was bring her home where my oldest son was waiting. But nope. She could not be bothered

I know my brother was planning to confront her on the party issue. I think I will give him a call and see how that went. I also wonder how long it will be before the other grand kids catch on that they are all treated as if they are beneath my sister's kids. I already know both my boys see it. They have actually pointed it out........tm