I found out this morning that my DCbro and SIL have moved to, of all places, Wyoming.

Or as I’m calling it… WHY-oming?

Initially, I was puzzled about this. It made no sense. Why would they go THERE of all places? They don’t know anybody out there at all. Why move away from their families? Away from everything they know and say they love? Then I remembered.

My DCbro and his wife are primarily motivated by money at every angle. I remembered that back when I was checking out Texas, they were asking me about it since they were considering moving to another state when they retired in a couple of years (which would be, about now). And since Wyoming IS one of those states with no state income tax, and the standard of living is considerably cheaper than the DC area — well, it ALL makes sense.

Cheap bastards.

Full disclosure here: I haven’t been on speaking terms with my brother and his wife since July of last year, so I’m a little bitter.

His wife used to say she was motivated by family matters — that always covered her true motivation’s tracks. They moved here to NY allegedly to be close to HIS family, but the underlying reason was her greed. Her company was offering here a huge salary increase and holding out the carrot of a promotion as well. A few years later, they moved away, again allegedly to be nearer to HER family, but ultimately, it was just so she could get a promotion. She was bound and determined to become the first female CEO of her company, but it was never to be. Her move actually ended up stunting her. See, her children became teenagers about that time — her daughter, particularly troubled, had no supervision with my SIL and Bro working all the time, and got into a great deal of trouble. SIL’s company didn’t look kindly on this — no high-paid executive of theirs could have those kinds of family problems waiting to blow up as a PR nightmare.

Long story short, SIL and Bro have always been greedy, money-driven people, and the people in their lives have paid the price. However, now that they are retirement age, it seems they don’t have to pretend to be all about “family” matters anymore. Grandbabies be damned, they’re moving — and of all places, to the middle of the frickin’ country. All their “family” members now reside back on the east coast, no longer a car ride away.

On the one hand, it’s kinda nice to see them finally drop the act. I mean, it’s refreshing to see them be who they are. But then again, I’m disappointed that for all they’ve been through, they haven’t learned ANYTHING.

I remain a bit angry about it all for some reason. Maybe it’s knowing what a waste it is. Knowing that they’ve learned nothing. I don’t know why I’m upset. The fact is, we haven’t spoken since July last year, and as far as I’m concerned, we’ll never talk to each other ever again. It’s strange having all these feelings bubbling up inside; anger, disappointment, rage, fear, disappointment, sadness, loss.

I wonder, what our long-lost relatives would think of our shattered family? So distant, so depleted of love, so hopelessly broken. What would my own mother say, who treasured family above money and all other matters? What would she think of her eldest daughter, her two sons, and her youngest — none of whom talk to one another except to exchange occasional pleasantries (and me, outcast from them all)?

Then again, it doesn’t matter what the dead think. The living make their own poor choices, and suffer the consequences. The dead don’t care.

As for me, I’ve decided I don’t give a rat’s butt either. I’m probably just mad because it’s stirring up every emotion I’ve suppressed over the past six months, and I don’t appreciate that. Whatever happens, I hope they get what they deserve (whatever that may be, good or bad).