Never counting their blessings, never praising anyone for a job well done.

Oh god, YES! The never praising anyone bit, I totally relate with that. I don't know why some people find it so hard to enjoy someone else's success or happiness. Maybe because they can't enjoy their own.

The only family I knew.

People are complex. We love them even if we recognize their faults. As they do us.

I internalized the idea that FAMILY could be ridiculous but we would love them and be polite to them anyway, and always.

For a while, I felt that, too. Some chronic complainers in my family who love nothing better than layering their frustrations on the rest of us. In the end, though, that's not healthy for anyone. We're still family, but I will not interact with them now, won't expose myself to that toxicity. My cousin told me "just because someone refuses to see light, we don't gotta remain in darkness in solidarity", and I loved it.

Glad you found something of value, my friend!