Holiday Performances-Broken Enough to Feel, Foolish Enough to Share
Feeling concerned for the fallout of saying NO to the gracious awkward invitation to sit at the table with people who cast me out harshly and publicly and then demand request my appearance, I began researching how to proceed—even with my unfortunate and evil ways, of course. See, I am called to continually get over hurtful and damaging things directed at me. To act as if…
My non-coercibility has earned me the title of withholding, deserving, imagining, or causing the unkindness- which persists in this way, each time I show up for more. My recovery teaches me that I no longer have to volunteer for this. I no longer participate in my own abuse.
The abusive words and behaviors are denied entirely, labelled as my wrong perceptions, or defended as facts–sworn and believed to come from a place of honor and rightness– not hurt or anger. Hurt and anger are for losers like me. Broken enough to feel and foolish enough to share. Saddened I am, by the reminder that healing and hope for myself exist only in the absence of these dynamics. I suppose the relief is in knowing that this sickness is not uncommon and I am not alone. Bad news, I cant cure or change it, I can avoid it. Dear Family, I am unable to attend the 2016 Christmas Performance dinner. Please accept this as my rsvp.
Discovering loyalty, which, fingers crossed, will come bundled with learning to forgive betrayal- is a BIIIIIG part of my journey. 
First mellllllllow Thanksgiving ever: Greg and I grimaced over the 7 menu items actually requiring work, imagining the stress of those with a vision for exactly how the grand feast must be presented and received. Probably, easier done without consideration for children and individual preferences. We were relaxed about our “plan”, and still– managing timing the dishes to be throughly cooked and hot -at all at once, felt challenging. S1 announced that he was “starving” before the meal was fully prepared. So, he ate his meal in courses, while S2 and Greg’s son played outside-before the official Feast time.