Mean Ol’ Uncle John

One of my family members was Uncle John. Uncle John raised four boys. Their ages ranged from the same as mine to a decade older. I liked all the boys, but I did not like Uncle John. He was too strict. This opinion first sparked into existence when I was about six years old, and overheard an exchange between my same-age cousin, and his father, Uncle John. My cousin asked for a cookie for himself, and one for me. My expectation for what I was about to receive was based on my own personal experience, which was to ask for a cookie then be handed the cookie jar. Not so with Uncle John. We, my cousin and I, each got one cookie along with the admonition to “make it last.” I was taken aback. More like appalled. One cookie! That was just as wrong as it could be. Over the following years came many similar experiences at my uncle’s home, and with each one I liked him less.

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