The Old Family Tradition of Dishonesty

Many families have traditions, even if it's just keeping the peanut butter in the fridge. How many have traditions that lead to warrants and manhunts?

We don't use names of those who've committed misdemeanors or felons not currently in the system and won't start now, so we're going to give everyone an alias for the purposes of this blog. Still, it's not like these names haven't previously made the news with great frequency.

John was the grandfather and quite a successful burglar...until he wasn't and went to prison. John's son Jim followed in his footsteps and more. He's been convicted of everything from rape to escape and is now living in one of Alabama's finest gray bar hotels. Jim's son Joe has also been known to practice the traditional art of burglary, but never to the extent of his father and grandfather.

Yet Jim is the father to more than Joe. His daughter Jill is quite a winner herself. No burglary that we've noticed, but she can't seem to find her way to municipal court. Perhaps she's worried about the father of the older two of her five children who's just been arrested for drug trafficking. She's probably more worried than he is since this is nothing new for him.

Jill has been to jail six times in the past six years. It must be an annual tradition as well as a family one. Worried about her children? Her mother or her grandmother always oblige and make sure the little ones are fed, bathed, and schooled. 

Yes, the mother and grandmother are enablers. Of course, we're sure they don't see it that way. Neither do they realize what they may have done wrong to have raised a man serving decades for heinous crimes or a woman who'd rather blow her family responsibilities off if she has a chance to party hardy. 

Is there an answer? Unfortunately not for any of those mentioned here. It won't be a popular answer, but when was the last time you took your children to a worship service? Look at it this way: Church now or the Hard Times in ten years. 

Hey, I Think I Can Get 20 Grand For You On e-BayBe!