For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for July 16, 2021

The last time my maternal grandparents had all of their children — two daughters, three sons, and another daughter — was in 2003 to commemorate my grandparents’ sixth-fifth wedding anniversary; Mom — being the youngest — was battling cancer and she died the following year. I even happen to have that family portrait hanging above my iMac.

“By the way, we sold that old pump organ – none of you would be playing it anyway, and it sure takes up a lot of space”

Those first two panels are the same sounds they make when they eat.

Brother and sister? I wonder if that means two people who take care of each other and have each other’s backs or two people who fight like cats and dogs? (I’d say both. ;/

At least their parents are happy.

It takes 3 days of politeness before my brother and I return to “normal” in front of everyone.

Hi, I’m Grumble. I’m Snarl. Nice to meetcha?

Now we know why Mike and Elizabeth act the way they do towards one another.

Is it such a good idea when you want to rent a car to ask for a Nash car that fumes and snorts?

Maybe Elly and Phil can have a food fight at the dinner table for old times sake..

Truer words.

Welcome to Canada: 2 days without a church burning.

As an only child myself I used to wish for a sister. Maybe I dodged a bullet?

Sustained, subtle, sibling squabbling. Home sweet home.

I grew up with four brothers and a memory of a half-sister who was with her grandfather because she was too much for my mother to handle. In the last few years my brother Larry has been doing some digging and found at least two half-brothers and a half-brother who died in infancy. I no longer know how many siblings I have.

Families fight over the dumbest things. I saw a huge set to over a clock radio once. . . .

Should have sold that organ years ago.

In our families—the grandparents generation anyway—somebody was always mad a somebody. Us kids—4 sisters and 2 brothers—were determined to change that. When dad and mom died, we divided up what we wanted, had an auction, and we are good friends ever since. We have a family reunion every year and everybody comes. I guess we are lucky.

Just like old times…..

My own sister decided she will be with me as much as she can, our dad died over 20 years ago, mom 6 years ago.

Let me guess. Mom donated the pipe organ to the local church and Phil and Ellie will have to find something else to fight over.

They are siblings , alright.

This story arc REALLY speaks volumes. The sad part is that it generally will go by unnoticed by those who haven’t lived through it yet. Pay attention, folks. You really, really need to grasp this. Trust me on that one. Job well done, Lynn Johnston!

Family finally coming back together because the parents are moving from the childhood home and things need to be got rid of. It reminds me of a song by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield (which he recorded aboard the ISS). “Farm Auction”. He wrote it for a pilot buddy of his, whose parents had recently sold their farm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIuuY1-2XBs

The sons came from across the land to help them throughAnd last night in the kitchen was the missus’ dream come trueAll her sons were standin’, laughin’Like a ghost from days long past whenTheir hopes and dreams were all she knew

And they all got up on this last mornin’, feelin’ fineAll those different motors to get started one last timeBy ten the yard was crowdedThe auction voices shoutedTheir neighbours movin’ down the line

They stand to watch the caller’s hammer fallAnother timeworn treasure carried offIt took a life to build this farm and allAnd they just watch the hammer fall

As each son reached the age to choose he left the landThey couldn’t seem to see the dream that guided their old manHe knew they had to leave himBut each one left him grievin’He’d hoped that one would understand

So for the past ten years he’s farmed his section all aloneThe prairie winds aren’t easy on his 60-year-old bonesThough he knows what he’s doin’It doesn’t make sense to himHe’ll never reap all that he’s sown

They stand to watch the caller’s hammer fallAnother timeworn treasure carried offIt took a life to build this farm and allNow they just watch the hammer fall

Now he knows that they are troubled and a little scaredCould strangers ever farm this land and care the way they cared?But each spring the land will freshenAnd their pain will lessenWith all that they have shared

They stand to watch the caller’s hammer fallTheir way of living split and carried offIt took a life to build this farm and allNow they just watch the hammer fallThey just watch the hammer fall

I thought I wanted some of my parent’s belonging as there was some really cool stuff in it. When the time came, I ditched the LOT!! All it would do was remember me of things I don’t want to remember.

My grandmother’s 90th birthday got all four of her sons, and all eight of her grandchildren together for the first time ever.

Technically, she is right about them acting like brother and sister. But the part about it being nice … not so much.