I "liked" this not because it was likable but because I can relate. I was beaten from about age 4 (when I started kindergarten) until I left (ran away from) home after I turned 21. Getting an A- instead of an A because I "was lazy." Spelling a word wrong. So many many trivial things that didn't warrant a beating. Really, what "misdeed" e…
I "liked" this not because it was likable but because I can relate. I was beaten from about age 4 (when I started kindergarten) until I left (ran away from) home after I turned 21. Getting an A- instead of an A because I "was lazy." Spelling a word wrong. So many many trivial things that didn't warrant a beating. Really, what "misdeed" ever warrants beating a child? I graduated from UCBerkeley then went on to a doctoral degree, got married and had my first child without either parent in my life.
In 1997 my dad died suddenly from an aneurysm. I always felt guilty for thinking the wrong parent died. She sent over a legal letter for me to sign which stated that I understood that I was being intentionally disinherited and that I would not contest her will. My brother was assigned 70% and my sisters 10%, and funnily my sisters feel it's unfair that they weren't getting equal shares! /s
Over the years I have seen very little of her or them. They have been dealing with her health and aging issues, and placed her in a care home about 2 years ago, after I refused to let her come live with me and my family. To this day I am still puzzled as to why they even asked, as they witnessed (but ignored?) the toxicity over the years.
I used to spend time poring over suitable Mother's Day cards every year, but last year I finally came to my senses. I acknowledge that she gave birth to me, but my gratitude and appreciation every Mother's Day goes to all the non-family women who were there for me over the decades since I left home. I have been very fortunate to have them, so that I did change my mind about not ever having children, and so that I didn't become a terror like my birth mother.
Lordy, I can only imagine a Mother’s Day card that would have been appropriate for that “Mommie Dearest.” Obviously, mothering instincts are not automatic. One must have a heart first.
I "liked" this not because it was likable but because I can relate. I was beaten from about age 4 (when I started kindergarten) until I left (ran away from) home after I turned 21. Getting an A- instead of an A because I "was lazy." Spelling a word wrong. So many many trivial things that didn't warrant a beating. Really, what "misdeed" ever warrants beating a child? I graduated from UCBerkeley then went on to a doctoral degree, got married and had my first child without either parent in my life.
In 1997 my dad died suddenly from an aneurysm. I always felt guilty for thinking the wrong parent died. She sent over a legal letter for me to sign which stated that I understood that I was being intentionally disinherited and that I would not contest her will. My brother was assigned 70% and my sisters 10%, and funnily my sisters feel it's unfair that they weren't getting equal shares! /s
Over the years I have seen very little of her or them. They have been dealing with her health and aging issues, and placed her in a care home about 2 years ago, after I refused to let her come live with me and my family. To this day I am still puzzled as to why they even asked, as they witnessed (but ignored?) the toxicity over the years.
I used to spend time poring over suitable Mother's Day cards every year, but last year I finally came to my senses. I acknowledge that she gave birth to me, but my gratitude and appreciation every Mother's Day goes to all the non-family women who were there for me over the decades since I left home. I have been very fortunate to have them, so that I did change my mind about not ever having children, and so that I didn't become a terror like my birth mother.
Lordy, I can only imagine a Mother’s Day card that would have been appropriate for that “Mommie Dearest.” Obviously, mothering instincts are not automatic. One must have a heart first.