A follow-up

 

So I apparently ignited quite a $hit$torm last week with my post about memories of my childhood and my father. Supportive friends called my post brave while some family members of mine took great offense. To my family members, all I can say is this. I am sorry if you were at all hurt or upset by reading anything that I wrote. It was in no way my intention to offend any of you. But here is something you need to realize – it has nothing to do with you.

I was recounting a memory that I had about my childhood - my upbringing, my experiences, and my interaction with my father. None of you get a say on that, as my unique experiences are just that. I cannot tell you how you should feel about your experiences, nor does anyone have the right to tell me how I should feel about mine. As an adult who has to face the day-to-day challenges of life, I made the decision to conduct a little bit of self-therapy by airing the memory. So I took the time in my journal to do just that – talk about my memories and my experiences. And ya know what? I don’t regret it for a minute. Getting that particular long-stuffed-away memory off of my shoulders allows it to float away – like a huge weight, frankly. It is not for anyone else to judge or condemn or scold.

When it comes to me and how I lead my life, there is one adage I will borrow from my father – “I’m the boss!” If you don’t like the fact that I have less-than-great memories of my dad, I’m afraid you’ll just have to find a way to cope. You do not have the power to change the past – only the present and the future. And I for one choose to uncover the wounds, air them, and allow them to heal.