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I accept it but I am not sure I understand

While discussing my life, someone asked me, "well what would you have wanted your childhood to be?"

Parents, mostly. A mom and a dad, in love and married, taking care of their kids together.

Of course I had parents. But, my dad abused my mom verbally and physically. They divorced when I was about 7.

The person who asked me the question has both parents. Very traditional. Her parents are now retired and go to Florida for a few months at a time. A whole home. A place to go to for the holidays.

My original home was sold. There is no "home" to go back to, even if I wanted to. My parents are now dead. Dad died at 49 when I was 11 (year 2000), from heart/liver failure from drinking. Mom died from serous (not "serious", but serous) uterine cancer at 68 (year 2024, I was 36). I "found" both of their bodies. Dad was a surprise but my mom was at my apt doing hospice so...yeah, one day she was just..deceased, in the living room.

It was so...funny, odd, interesting...for this person to ask me what life I would have preferred.

A life with parents. A life with a home I could go back to if I struggled.

My life is so different from this person. My life (unchecked) is screaming and aching and....meanwhile, this other person is upset when her parents argue.

I feel so disconnected.

I feel so.... drained. Different.

I just can't relate to people.

I can't relate.

Then they say I look or seem "better".

I don't feel better.

I feel different.

They wonder why I "isolate".

Because of the pain.

You couldn't know the pain until it happens.

You don't know the pain until you have found your parents bodies.

During hospice, my mom stayed in my apartment. She would vomit hot brown bowel liquid over my arms while I tried to soak it up with towels.

I just can't relate to the traditionally safe life of an average person who still has parents that are still married and retired living it up in Florida on the beach.

My heart hurts every day. Every f*cking day. Knowing my mom never felt peace before she died.

Because not only was she sick, but she had an addict daughter, took care of her grandchild, and just....she did everything. She was an angel.

The only solace I feel is knowing she is at peace now.

I had a dream where we hugged and she said she was ok. Back in 2000 I had a similar dream where my dad said he was ok.

That is all I can ask for. I just wish they had found peace during their physical lives on Earth.

I wish my mom had known peace before she died. She was an angel. She deserved it.

And it never happened.

It haunts me.

I would have given my mom my life if it would have meant she lived longer.

She deserved life more than me. More than mine.
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Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
I'm so sorry for all that you mourn...
It is a heavy burden to carry.

And I don't say burden lightly, Its a lot.

My father passed away during the height of COVID in the hospital, he was one of the very few people that were able to have family present. We wore protective gear. But I still remember watching him change from each stage. It's traumatic. Prior to his sickness we'd been estranged for 8 years.

It will feel minimizing having someone ask you how would you have liked your home life to have been.

I'm not saying I agree with them, but I think sometimes people do this to try and get your mind off the harsh reality.

It's a brief moment to forget the pain and imagine that your mum and dad were the kind of people to look up to (so to speak).

No family is perfect and I think in this life you have been a beacon of light for those in yours.

Somehow despite all that has gone on you are a decent human being. Who can judge clearly right from wrong. But you also bestow compassion.

Some people wouldn't even consider a relationship with either parent. This may sound odd, your dad was troubled but your mum stayed and wasn't necessarily able to shield you from this. (She had her reasons and I don't want to minimise her suffering either)

This pain and confusion you constantly feel is because you are now doubting who you are as a consequence of all this.

You are deserving of love.

You are a good person.

You didn't deserve to witness all those traumatic things.

You deserve a life where you are healed and can enjoy all this beautiful world encompasses.

You did absolutely nothing wrong you were an innocent child in all this.

You are worthy of so much more than this pain and suffering.

I hope my words are offering you some comfort.

I am not trained to help you navigate this journey to a better place, but if you are able to, I truly urge you to try and find help where you can let this out and be guided to peace.

A pastor, a counsellor, or a psychologist.

You are loved. 💖