I think it's about time we got ourselves a new family tradition..

Mostly,those things we pass along from one generation to the next by way of tradition,tend to foster a sense of unity,continuity,and the comfort that comes from being part of the familial collective consciousness.
By ritual and rote,we attempt to establish patterns of behavior designed to propagate our singular branch of the family tree,and secure our place in the scheme of things,

'That's how it's always been done!'..

Well,..crap.

Darling Daughter informed me this past weekend,that in keeping with a long standing family tradition,..my eldest son was sentenced to 1 year in County Jail.

Yep..Sooner or later,and for as many generations as can be accounted for,every male member of the Sling household has pissed off exactly enough people to warrant some form of incarceration.
...You'd think that was a counter productive trait,if it weren't for the evidenciary argument that we continue to thrive!

I mean,under these all to familiar circumstances,we quite naturally forego the typical throwing up of hands,and rending of garments that many families might experience.

Instead,..we'll note the time and date of conviction,and calculate the actual time our kin will reside in limbo,within a very small margin of accuracy.
(Take the imposed sentence,subtract time served during adjudication,factor in 'good time',and the end result falls between 6-9 months..,or transfer to a half-way house in 4 months,with a 'sentence completed' in 8 months).

..I've had tooth aches that lasted longer than that..

In the meantime,We'll write the occasional letter,and put a few sheckels on his books so that he can purchase his personal hygiene products,enjoy a warming cup of 'Top Ramen' from the canteen,and have a cache of 'Jolly Ranchers' to trade for that extra carton of milk at breakfast.

..It's a family tradition.