In Which I Talk About Stubbornness

My family is very stubborn. At my son's schools, over the years, they mention that he's stubborn (and they say that like it's a bad thing!). I get it from my mom's side of the family. When my mom and my son get stuck on either sides of a stubborn issue, it's like watching an evenly matched sumo wrestling team. There is no movement at all.

(I'm not as stubborn as they are. What? Why are you looking at me like that? It's true! Just ask my husband! Oh wait, better not ask him. Find someone that doesn't know me very well.)

Eventually, my mom will win the stubborn contest. Usually. But that's because she's older and has more experience. My son will start winning more when he gets older. But no one in my family will ever beat my great-grandmother. On my mom's side, natch.

My great-grandma was 90 years old (in great health, just old) and living with her son. He had to go to San Diego for some cancer treatments and grandma didn't want to go.

"Well, then you'll have to stay with Brother while we're gone."
"No, I'll just stay here."
"Mom, you're 90 years old! You can't stay here by yourself while we're gone for days. How about you come to San Diego with us?"
"No. I'm not going to San Diego and I'm not staying with Brother."
"Well, we're not leaving you here alone. You'll have to come to San Diego with us."
"I am NOT going to San Diego."
"Oh yes you are."
"I would rather die than go to San Diego"
(Personal interjection here. I like San Diego. I can't imagine why she didn't want to go.)

Three days later she was dead. "Natural causes" the doctor said, but everyone knew it was pure stubbornness.