I was an inconvenient child. There was no tolerance or support for this, only resentment. I learned resentment at an early age.
Unlearning is taking time. As mother to a highly sensitive child, I am grateful that I can love him through the overwhelming thing of life instead of resenting him for not making my life easier. He makes me, life, and the world better just by being in it, exactly as he is. But he sure does not feel that way and my heart is breaking.
He is terrified by his discomfort and the price he will pay, if not effectively masked for his father and family for this upcoming trip to CA, where he will be called upon to pose as shiny and happy and uncomplicated. Over the past week, I have sent the following group texts to him, his brother, and their father and we continue to discuss.
1–“Lighten Up” Please do not ever say these words to someone who is struggling. That is a bullying tactic—what is really being said is “Shut up”. For people who have not yet learned to cope with feelings, they will try to act all strong, by saying this— and try to make a person feel weak and ashamed for struggling. Never in the history of time has a person lightened up because they were told to do so. A kind and compassionate person who genuinely cares about how you feel will ask what you need or what they can do when you are struggling. Please beware of people saying these words. They are not safe. Please protect each other and show up for each other. Even if you fight at home, in public, you choose loyalty. Make it clear that bullies can not divide you. Only bullies divide and shame people. We will talk more about this. We are breaking the cycle of bullying and addiction. They go together.
2–Boys, with your upcoming trip to CA, I want to check in with you today but also want your dad to be aware of what I am asking of you. Both sides of your family have siblings and parents not speaking. If you notice, it is the ones who say and feel more that get punished and cast out. This is a sick cycle. We will break it. S2, you were blessed with a more resilient composition, you easily experience joy and connection because you are not burdened with being particularly sensitive to all of the stimulus. The sickest people will show you favor –for this– while doing the opposite for your brother. Healthy people will not make either of you feel preferred or better or chosen over the other. KIND and Healthy people do not divide people.
3—S2, I am asking that if you observe any situations in which you are clearly receiving favor over your brother, please consider going to him, being his person, his brother, his loyal protector. Anyone who judges that is bad for you both. You are brothers. You are not here to do anything but love and protect each other. You may not be best friends or always understand each other, but you can be fiercely and undeniably loyal—so people know they cannot mess with you, if they get one, they get you both.
4–I hope you will both choose that. Please do not allow any person or group of people to convince you otherwise. We will talk more about this. There is nothing more noble and badass than loyalty. Brotherly loyalty. S1, it is ok to be sensitive. Anyone telling you that you are too sensitive is an asshole. You don’t ever need to say that but you need to know it. Kind people don’t even suggest or offer anything other than support. Assholes who do not know how to be sensitive and compassionate say THAT– so they can blame you for their weakness.
5–Remember this: Anyone who judges, mocks, or criticizes or abandons a person for having difficult feelings— needs help. Go away from them and REMEMBER—it is not you—it is their disease and sickness that makes them behave that way.
And if you see this happening to a person, show up for that person who may not have the courage to speak for himself or herself. That is what kindness and love look like. Showing up. Offering comfort. Being a safe place. Love is not lavish or expensive or even exciting, it is just kind. Be love. Notice love. Recognize non-love for what it is. Be there for each other.
