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What is it about families that can just royally embarrass you?

When I got my mission call, I was sent a letter with a list of items necessary for the mission. Included in this letter was a recommendation to bring 4 handkerchiefs. I'm still not sure why we were told to bring handkerchiefs. I used mine to dust. Like a dutiful missionary, one of my companions brought handkerchiefs with her.

While on my mission, I was able to visit with family. One of my family members was a very wealthy man who loved to drink and give away money. He would occasionally travel to the city where I served and take my companion and I out to dinner--at a bar. Not many missionaries can say they went to bars on their mission. When Ivan got drunk, he was very happy and very generous. On more than one occasion, he would give either myself or my companion a large bill. But, he didn't hand it to us. Nope, he would spit on it and slap it on our foreheads. We would have to wear it there until he either lost interest or it fell. We always prayed that he would lose interest.

When my dad came to visit, my companion and I traveled by train to spend a weekend with him and all my cousins. While there, my dad used his handkerchief for reasons one would need a handkerchief--to wipe your sweaty forehead (or saliva filled one) or to blow your nose. While packing to leave, dad brought out his handchief to wipe his nose when he noticed it wasn't his. I'm sure the little dainty flowers on it gave it away. After blowing his nose, he gave it to me to give to my companion since "it was hers and got mixed up with mine." Yeah, thanks dad.

When I told my companion about it (after assuring her I would wash the handkerchief well before giving it to her), she laughed and said, "Your cousin puts his spit on my head and your dad blows his nose with my handkerchief. What's a little bodily fluids among friends?"