Diane, you dive deep beyond judgment, digging through pain and anger to rise up with words shimmering, as the re-done photos do, for all of the complexity.
Your story is the first thing I read upon awakening this morning. As I get older, I see my parents as people. People with their own flaws and struggles.
I'm widowed twice. It was hell. I wanted my mom just to be near me.
"Who says these things to a daughter?" Someone who is very unhappy in their own life and skin. Kudos to you for seeing the beauty beneath the beastliness. And for helping yourself heal by celebrating your scars instead of trying to hide them.
I had that difficult relationship with my dad. His logo for his business was an artist rendering of his face. Four feet high. He's been dead over 25 years. His giant wooden, weather-beaten head lives in my closet, facing the wall. I take it out every year or so to see if I can either a) mount it somewhere or b) ditch it. Then it goes back in the closet, facing the wall. ❤️🩹
I do believe this is common in all families and am grateful people can tell their own, painful stories. Someday you may finally appreciate the man who brought you life.
Diane, you dive deep beyond judgment, digging through pain and anger to rise up with words shimmering, as the re-done photos do, for all of the complexity.
Thank you, Stephen, for your poetic comments.....much appreciated.
Your story is the first thing I read upon awakening this morning. As I get older, I see my parents as people. People with their own flaws and struggles.
I'm widowed twice. It was hell. I wanted my mom just to be near me.
Thank you for your powerful story.
Thank you, David for reading and writing this comment. I am thrilled whenever my essays resonate with others.
Fitting Acknowledgment! Touching
You didn’t erase the damage, but you refused to erase her humanity either. Well written 😊
Thank you for your thoughts and words.
"Who says these things to a daughter?" Someone who is very unhappy in their own life and skin. Kudos to you for seeing the beauty beneath the beastliness. And for helping yourself heal by celebrating your scars instead of trying to hide them.
Diane, it’s your grace that leaves me speechless. (No picture required.)
Wow, thank you for this powerful message. It's a gift I needed today. xxoo
Yeah. It’s so easy to forget our parents were someone else entirely before life screwed with them…this is beautiful.
Thanks, Jodi
I had that difficult relationship with my dad. His logo for his business was an artist rendering of his face. Four feet high. He's been dead over 25 years. His giant wooden, weather-beaten head lives in my closet, facing the wall. I take it out every year or so to see if I can either a) mount it somewhere or b) ditch it. Then it goes back in the closet, facing the wall. ❤️🩹
I do believe this is common in all families and am grateful people can tell their own, painful stories. Someday you may finally appreciate the man who brought you life.
Oh I do. We worked things out before he died. I have a lot of compassion for him, but the feelings will always be complex
I understand this at a deep level. Thank you.
Thanks for reading, Angela. And writing a comment.
Lovely!
Thank you, Susan.
Thanks to Rachel of Open Secrets for publishing my essay today. Happy Mother's Day to all.