I have this aunt who has this thing. It involves entitlement to every aspect of my life. She has horses too. Last year when I was just starting to get back into horses my dad took me where I needed to go. He also took her. Difference being? I paid gas money. Last winter I decided I was in it for broke and I bought my own trailer. This spring I bought a bigger truck. This fall.. a bigger horse. You get the picture. I've been slowly growing into it. She's had horses since I can remember. She's never owned a trailer. Having already worn out the other family members, I became fresh meat. Here's the deal: I get to buy the equipment, pay for the equipment, maintain the equipment, and she gets to borrow it whenever she wants - for free. Pretty sweet, huh?
I really don't mind sharing with family. My mom, aunt, and I trade things all the time. Giving without gratitude bothers me. I don't hear a thank you... in fact I'm treated like crap every other second of the day unless I'm being asked to loan something out. I feel guilty if I say no, I'm resentful if I say yes (did I mention things often come back trashed or don't come back at all?).
It isn't as if she's homeless, her family way income is much higher than mine. Seriously, if you are going to run with the big dogs, you had better be ready to pony up the dough. Nothing bothers me more than an ungrateful mooch.
