Going Into Shock
My family just cooked everything for Christmas dinner with peanut oil and I’m allergic. I think they’re trying to kick me out of the family. I don’t know if they forgot and I’m just overreacting to a mistake, or if this is an overt way of actively trying to kick me out of the family. I’m 24, and this is the first year this has happened. I’m over at my aunt’s house right now, as she’s hosting dinner.
She’s my dad’s sister. After thanksgiving, my uncle suggested they fry the turkey this Christmas, and my aunt agreed to try it out. I didn’t think much of it at the time. They’re frying the turkey right now, in peanut oil, and nearly every dish has a nut component planned. I’ve always been allergic to both peanuts and tree nuts, and eating ANY causes me to break out in hives and go into anaphylactic shock.
This is the same person who gave three-year-old me Reese’s Pieces as a snack, and Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast because they didn’t believe my allergies were that serious, sending me to the hospital both times. Nothing has happened since…so I’m wondering…did they just forget this year? I feel a little disregarded. It’s not the first time I’ve felt this way.
I was left out of my grandmother’s obituary, and haven’t really gotten presents for my birthday or Christmas since I was 11. They judge me for not being like them in a lot of subtle ways. My mother is also allergic, though less severe. She’s been giving me “what the heck” looks all morning. Eventually, my mom and I went to my grandfather’s house with other family members from her side.
They weren’t doing anything major, but it’s a heck of a lot better than being poisoned. I know that a big conversation with my dad has to happen soon, but it’s a holiday and I don’t want to start drama today.