I am trying sooo hard not to become "down"...

[Planogirl]

I personally suspect that most people who brag a lot aren't really all that happy. Hang in there and write that braggy letter as DocRafiki suggested. Then you'll see how possible it is to sound like everything is "perfect" even if it's really just a mirage in your opinion.

 

[Keli]

Oh, don't let letters like that get you down. You're just looking at the wrong side of life. Think about the person who has no family, no friends, or maybe no home and remember how truely blessed you are. Then you can look at your cousin's letter and know in your heart that she has nothing over on you because you have blessings that money cannot buy.

 

[powellrj]

every year I write a brag letter, but I NEVER ever would send it out to anyone. It just makes me realize how very lucky I am. I think when people do mail their letters out, they are trying to convince themselves more than anyone how wonderful they are. My advise to you would to be write your own letter and make your life sound so wonderful that you can't imagine anyone living a better one!!

 

[Randi]

I know deep down that I have had a good life and have done many things that others may never have the opportunity to do. Being single, I am so grateful that I was able to take my sons to WDW. I am also grateful that I had so many years with my sons. Generally I am an optimist, things seem to have a way of working out, but that letter kinda threw me for a bit. Thanks for putting it into perspective for me. I think I will reply to her, using some descriptive techniques you all mentioned! Now where is that Thesarus?
SeaSpray: Sure I remember you and your family. That was a surprise wasn't it?

 

[Curly Q]

Randi Everyone here is so wonderful!

 

[Kallison]

Ewww, I used to write funny letters - like we've been paying for guitar lessons for 4 years and he is still playing Happy Birthday to You, our 3 year old has been banned from the miniature golf course, we have a lake -- unfortunately it is in our basement! Then I just didn't have time to do them anymore. We get one from a co-worker of my DH. I was lampooning it at dinner the other night -- "Well hello again, another year has come and as usual we've taken many trips. I went on all of Billy's conferences to California, Florida and Las Vegas this year. We visited our friends in New York City twice and took the girls to Disney World and a side trip to Nasa Space Camp. I'm very busy with my volunteer work and try to have lunch with my friends at least once a week. The other days I take tennis lessons and do scrapbooking. Both girls are in the gifted program at their private school. They won ribbons in blah, blah, blah.............."
Their are a few things in that letter that I know they blatantly lied about because the DH will tell my DH how upset she was about something, then the letter comes out and they are so happy aobut the same thing. Really, take it with a grain of salt. Knowing your kid's health problems I would say it was real insensitive of her to send that to you in the first place.

 

[Lars624]

Randi~
I agree with the other posters!
Count your blessings~from what I can tell you have been truly blessed by time with your sons, an independant spirit, friendship & love.
and as far as the letter goes....read between the lines....nothing is that perfect!! and anyone who wants you to think their life is that perfect is actually kinda sad.

 

[KathyTX]

A little long, but this "Christmas Brag Letter" parody made me smile. Here's the Christmas letter that went out:


Christmas greetings! Let me tell you some of the exciting achievements of my darling family. Winston, our genius 6-year-old, is developing far ahead of your children. His favorite bedtime story is currently War and Peace, and he loves to discuss Eastern Philosophy over his afternoon snack. After learning and mastering the piano last year, he's moved on to a new challenge: conducting the Utah Symphony with Keith Lockhart We're so proud of him! But we don't push him! Heavens no! We simply guide his interests while gently reassuring him that if he doesn't get into Julliard by age 12, we'll disown him.

We haven't neglected our second born, Charles Mayhew, now six months old. He's learned sign language while breastfeeding, so he can communicate his wishes such as, "I'm done", "more milk," and "Mom, you need more folic acid in you diet."

I'm a very busy as a mother of two child prodigies, but I still find time to be PTA President, the Science Fair Chairman, and a spelling bee judge (in which Winston took first place, again... where am I going to put all of his trophies?). I also play the harp, sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and bake six dozen cookies every day for homeless shelters.

Our many exciting vacations this year included Disneyland, Disneyworld, and Disney Europe. My husband Darren's executive-level job with a Fortune 500 company also took us on a Carribean cruise. Despite eating all that delicious food at every buffet, I actually came home 10 pounds thinner! Darren continues to work hard and make valuable contacts all over the world, and his 401k account is doing great, even though the rest of America has lost most of their retirement savings in the recession.

We hope you holidays are almost as perfect as ours, and we hope we've given you something to shoot for.

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year,

Sheryl Snoots


And here's the other half of the story, the one she isn't telling you:


Merry Christmas to friends and family that I don't make an effort to see the rest of the year. This year has been the worst yet. In case you haven't heard it from my hair stylist or my gossiping neighbors, I thought I'd let everyone know: I'm barren. That's right, no more Fertile Myrtle. So I'm taking prescription drugs to stave off deep depression.

My 6-year-old son Winston, despite expensive therapy, still wets the bed, sucks his thumb and washes his hands forty times a day. I'm still suffering post-partum depression after the birth of Charles "Mayhem". The doctor says the drugs in my breast milk probably won't have any long-term effects on him.

As for my husband Darren, he finds excuses to go on more and more "business trips." (Does anyone know a good private investigator?) The IRS is also investigating him for tax fraud. We could lose our house by next Christmas.

As for me, I'm so busy trying to keep up appearances and make hand-made, Martha Stewart-type gifts to give to neighbors whom I hardly speak to, that my hair is going gray. I also got an intestinal tapeworm from our Carribean cruise. Oh, and did I mention my other secret for staying so thin? I'm bulemic.

Hope your holidays can keep up a brave facade that doesn't send you running screaming into the streets!

Yours,

Etc, etc.

 

[DoeWDW]

Randi, you've gotten such great tips from everyone here. I can't add anything else but a from another one of your 58,000+ friends here on the DIS. I'll keep you and your son in my prayers.

KathyTX - those letters are a HOOT!! Thanks for the chuckle, although I hope no one truly lives that kind of life!

 

[Lanshark]

Kathy LOL!

Randi, I read your thread last night and woke up thinking about it. The scripture below actually came to mind. It is human nature to be a bit envious of those whose lives seen perfect. Allow yourself that then think about your accomplishments. Think what a positive effect you've had on both of your sons and think what an example you've set for those around you. You should be very proud of yourself.

Matthew 19

23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
30But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

 

[clh2]

In this letter, they made themselves sound like doting grandparents, made a couple of comments about each of the 5 grandkid's interests.

I don't think they spent more than 1 good hour with our daughter this past year.

I think their letter was more of a reflection of what their friends would expect to hear in a letter.

Trust me - my version would have been much different.

Randi - hope you are feeling better about your cousin's letter!

 

[Disney Doll]

I hate the bragging letters too!!!!! I want to write comments on it like "you expect me to believe this?" and stuff like that and send them back.

I was surrised this year that we actually recevived 2 letters that included some of the difficult things that had happened to the familes during the year in the letter. Much more interesting to read, and it wasn't a complete "brag-a-thon".

Sounds like you are a great lady!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[danacara]

I have never heard anyone say "wow, I absolutely loved that letter from ___."

And they take a lot of effort to write.

I think all are best off with just the basic christmas card with the little handwritten personal note. But that's IMHO.