Venting...
Out of context: Reply #32
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Without getting into too much detail I have had to cut all ties with my father. I grew up with constant fighting, domestic violence and extreme alcoholism. My half brother, who I've met only a few times, is older than me and still feels very hurt and abandoned. On the other hand, his presense was so chaotic to me, I recall at 4 or 5 being glad he was gone.
He is very funny when he is in a normal mood. I tried to restablish a relationship with him. I was bringing my kids to visit for a while.
Long story short, he still continued to bother my mother and I can't tolerate that. You can forgive but don't have to associate with someone if bad or threatening behavior continues.
My wife and kids would like to see him. No one on my side of the family thinks we should bother with him. I can't imagine exactly how I'll feel when he is gone.
I think that he warped me in a way as a kid. One thing that does bother me is how much I struggled to be a normal person thoughout my youth and young adulthood. I feel like I've had to learn everything myself the hard way. One positive for me is that I try to do every the opposite with my kids, I teach them everything I wish I would've known, love them and give them every opportunity to grow and succeed in life. They are really sociable and well behaved. I think we should all just try to improve ourselves and the next generation no matter what our experience is.