How to (almost) gracefully cancel an expensive family vacation when you’re tired and also a little bit broke
From: The Almostgotits
Sent: Sun 7/20/2008
Subject: Tunisia plans
Dear Everyone,
After long and careful thought, we are sad to tell you that we will not be travelling to Africa next week for the traditional Tunisian wedding of our nephew after all. Mr. Almostgotit will still be there to represent our family, however, and hopes to change the return portion of his ticket so that he can stay for the final event, too (my mistake, getting the dates wrong when I bought the tickets .) We are planning another trip west to see you all in the near future, though.
Warmest wishes to all, The Almostgotits
From: Everyone
Sent: Sun, 20 Jul 2008
Subject: RE: Tunisia plans
Dear Almostgotits,
- We hope everything is OK. - We were so looking forward to the time together. - Will you get a refund? – We are sure your family knows best. - We hope it’s not anything we did. - 11 yr old Cousin Q will be devastated. I guess there isn’t a way that 12 yr old could fly over with us and return with her father?
Love, Everyone
From: The Almostgotits
Sent: Sun, 20 Jul 2008
Subject: RE: Tunisia plans
Dear Everyone,
We’re sad, too. But going to Tunisia this particular summer was a big stretch to begin with, even if everything had gone according to plan. And things haven’t gone according to plan . ..<<details, more details>>. . . Sorry again re 12 yr old, but, we’ve already cancelled her ticket too — that one pays for the new mattress. 
Love, The Almostgotits
From: Everyone
Sent: Mon, 21 Jul 2008
Subject: RE: Tunisia plans
Dear Almostgotits,
We had a restless night. We’re a bit concerned. We want to reach out to help, but we also don’t want to intrude . . . we could pay for the three of you to go to Tunisia if you could. If you need to stay home because of work, we could pay for 12 yr old and an adult to fly with her to Cincinnati to connect with us . . . You can simply tell us “no” if you don’t feel comfortable. You have always been so generous to us when we come to visit and we are thankful to have such a good family.
Love, Everyone
From: The Almostgotits
Sent: Mon, 21 Jul 2008
Subject: RE: Tunisia plans
Dear Everyone,
What a kind and loving offer. Thank you so much. If there weren’t so many good reasons piling up to change our minds, we wouldn’t have changed them (as I’ve told the groom separately, our heads finally had to prevail over our hearts, though our hearts are still very much his — and yours.) We want to be sure you all know we love you, and that we are not in any distress (financial or otherwise) But we must decline your offer, while fully accepting the great love and generosity with which it was offered. What dears you are. (Or elk, if you prefer!!)
With large hugs, The Almostgotit Mooses
From: Ms. Almostgotit
Sent: Mon, 21 Jul 2008
Subject: RE: Tunisia plans
You better tell them the rest, honey. They’re your family.
From: Mr. Almostgotit
Sent: Mon, 21 Jul 2008
Subject: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Tunisia
After still more thought, I (Mr. A) have decided to call off my Paris-Tunisia trip as well, and will stay here with my family. I really wanted to be with you all for this wonderful celebration, and I’m very sorry to miss it. We are doing well–just a little frayed around the edges, and being here, we decided, is where we need to be right now. We love you all and are going to be thinking about you all in Kasr al-Halal drinking tea with mint and strong coffee. Take lots of pictures for us! See you at Christmas.
Love, Mr. Almostgotit
