Sad
Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

This is just a little rant. I know I’m 36 and this probably shouldn’t bother me as much as it does, but it still does.

My mom sometimes talks about how awful my grandpa was to her when she was growing up. He was her stepdad and apparently treated her very differently than he treated her younger sister. From what she’s said, a lot of it was mentally abusive, and I know that kind of stuff can stay with you forever.

But it’s really hard for me to hear sometimes because the papaw I knew was completely different. I have nothing but good memories of him. He was always loving to me, and he’s been gone for years now. So hearing those stories kind of messes with my heart and my memories.

I know my mom went through things I’ll never fully understand, and I don’t think she’s lying or exaggerating. I think she’s still hurting from it. But sometimes I wish she could talk to someone like a therapist about it, because hearing it over and over is really heavy for me.

And honestly… I feel guilty even saying that, because I know her pain is real. But it still hurts to hear those things about someone I loved so much.

Does that make me selfish? I genuinely don’t know.
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
No it doesn't make you selfish. She is allowed to complain but you're also allowed to tell her that you don't want to listen her complain nonstop, especially if she does nothing to fix whatever is that impacted her from him.

And you're right on the therapist part.

People are complex creatures.
You can hold on to your fond memories of him while understanding that he was also a flawed individual who hurt her. Both truths can coexist, and it's okay for you to want her to acknowledge that complexity without dwelling on the negative continually. Healing involves facing the truth, not ignoring it.
CharityRae · 36-40, F
@greensnacks Thanks, that makes a lot of sense and helps me put things in perspective.