Poor Relation

It’s hard to be poor. It is hardest to be a poor relation. You are bound to take a beating time after time. During family photo taking, you, your spouse and your children will be relegated to the far corner of the picture, well away from the honorable centre, closest to the patriarch and matriarch. You are the last person acknowledged in family gatherings. Often, greeting is given just as an after thought. On wedding banquets, your table assignment reflects clearly your status as the poor relation. You are often seated with the host’s employees, way at the back of the function room. You receive the smallest and the least of value gift. Sometime, even a second hand gift is considered too good for you. In another word, you are given the scrap.

It is often said, the most valuable gift is the gift of time. When you are a poor relation, you are never given any time of the day. Even your gift offering of your time is considered an imposition. When your rich relations pass over your town, they won’t seek you unless you can be in service to them. As a poor relation, you are not entitled to feel hurt when wronged. “Don’t be too sensitive over such a small matter,” another rich relation will admonish you. When you are the poor relation, rich relatives, impositions are sent your way first. God forbid that they will trouble other rich relatives who has more resources to fulfill the need. Hence, a poor relation is often considered no more than servants at their beck and call. The poor relation is supposed to feel honored to be considered at all.