2011 off to a bad start

2009 and 2010 were pretty rough years for me and so far, 2011 holds little promise for anything better. On January 11 my Grandfather, Bill Gordon, passed from this life after 92 years. He was a simple, honset, decent man. A farmer his entire life, he also worked at other jobs off the farm at times to help his family along. He had an eight grade education and good common sense and they served him well. Grandpa was highly respected and well-liked by everyone that knew him. I don't believe he had an enemy his entire life. He and Grandmother, Wilma, were married 70 years before her death in 2008. He wasn't the same after she was gone, he missed her terribly. I'm going to miss him a lot. I spent many hours as a young guy working beside him on some project on the farm or simply tagging along behind, just wanting to be with him and be like him.

A few days ago my daughter, Jill, sent me a text message to let me know she's getting married. She plans to marry Alex Whorton, a kid she went to school with. I suppose most times news like this would be welcome news of a happy event. She obviously holds her dad in high esteem, electing to tell me by text message instead of in person. I haven't heard a word from Alex about this either, I guess he doesn't have the balls to talk to me at all. I'm thoroughly pissed about the whole thing. Alex was always a moron in school and she complained without end about how annoying and dumb he was. They've never dated and she only sees him every few months when he's home from the Army. Obviouly a strong foundation for a lasting relationship, right? Her justification, as far as I can tell, is that they're friends and he likes Jackson.

Jill has a poor track record with decision making. She is stubborn and foolish, and she absolutely refuses to hear any view other than her own. At the same time, she never misses an opportunity to tell others what they should do or think. I'm in a bad spot here because while I have several serious reservations and concerns about this marriage, along with a good many questions, I can't say anything to her. If I express ANY opinion or offer any sort of argument against this plan of hers it will only spur her to action. She's exactly like her mom...tell her somethings a bad idea and she'll move heaven and earth to do it just to show you that she's gonna do what she wants and nobody can tell her what to do. I'm absolutely convinced that if I said she shouldn't put her hand in a pot of boiling water or she'll be burned she would do it just to teach me a lesson.

My only real option is to just ignore it all, and her, and let her do as she pleases. Unfortunately, Jackson has to go along for the ride on this fools roller coaster. I couldn't stand the idea of him suffering because she's an idiot.