Originally Posted by
ElevatorEnthusiast
I love this story - I was the youngest by far, and my parents massively enabled my picky eating by carrying around an ice chest full of yogurt and milk to restaurants. Vegetables - no way! Meat - no way! I didn't eat a burger until I was 18. My close family did not care to fight, but darn did it cause fights with extended family during holidays - probably why I dislike holidays now and spend them traveling, enjoying the foods I want to eat.
Likewise!
My father was the youngest and I'm the youngest of the family. As such, I was the favorite of my grandparents who spoiled me rotten, which, as you can imagine, created a bit of resentment from my siblings and cousins. During family gatherings, most of my older siblings and cousins would pick on me for that reason, and I still remember my grandmother and favorite sister always sticking up for me. So, like you, while I attend the more obligatory family gatherings, I'd much rather dash off somewhere exotic and roam around left to my own devices.
I'm starting to envy whatever sojourn you've been on, which seems to be almost 1/2 a year? And, all of those pizzas will likely have me order one soon, maybe for football Sunday.
PS - To this day, during family gatherings, the first thing out of my mouth after entering is always, "where is my favorite sister!"