This morning I woke up refreshed. Thanks to the swamp cooler’s properly working, my day went well nicely.
***
In the evening my cousin gave me a phone call.
Last time when I talked with my cousin was before my mom’s 49th ceremony. My dad invited him for the Buddhism ceremony to pray for my mom’s safe departure to her spiritual hometown. A banquet dinner would be followed after the ceremony. My cousin was planning to attend the ceremony, but he was reluctant for attending at the banquet dinner. He does not get along with other cousin and feels awkward to have dinner with him. When I heard his concern, I suggested my cousin to turn down the invitation. It would not hurt using some excuses such as a sudden business trip. With my suggestion, my cousin got relieved. He said he would do so.
So, I asked him if he could excuse himself from the banquet dinner. He said he could not excuse himself. He attended the banquet because he thought my dad might feel offended if he didn’t attend. I noticed my cousin is the type of person who cannot say no to others. I used to be like him, so I know exactly how difficult for him to say no. I feel sorry for him.
My cousin is my mom’s nephew. Since they had lived in a same house in their younger years, they were close as if they were real siblings. Thus, it was natural for him to visit my mom often. After my mom’s passed away, I thought my cousin would stop visiting my parents’ house.
In our conversation, I found out that my cousin visited my dad often last month. While my mom was still alive, my cousin and my mom often contacted each other by phone calls. My dad never called my cousin directly before. My cousin told me recently my dad started calling him on the phone. I was surprised to know about that.
My dad started feeling comfortable to ask my cousin some personal favors and chores. My dad already asked my cousin to do this and that. I know my cousin’s personality. He is too gentle to say no. And I know my dad’s personality. He is never shy to ask people to do something for him. I suggested my cousin to say no when it comes to the point where my dad asks him too much and too frequently. My cousin said he will try. I concern about my cousin for not being able to say no to my dad.
three wisdom 