It has been a disappointing and painful afternoon for me. I am .. was .. a member of a meetup group that was about dealing with empty nest syndrome. After I came out, separated and divorced, I have only my adopted daughter for family. It is a bittersweet thing to see her growing up and into her life. I am proud of her. So I sought out this group for support. I was not out to them. At least, not that I knew of.
At last weeks walk and talk, one of the women commented on my children that don't talk to me, "The children that you bore!?!?!" I responded, "uh, my flesh and blood." But I was immediately uneasy. Carrying and bearing a child is [or should be] a privilege and an honor to my way of thinking and I had not earned that honor. I haven't born any children. It seemed wrong to me to let her think so.
We came to a place where we could stop for a moment and I asked everyone to let me get something said. I came out to them. It seemed really good and ok the rest of the day. I got some good questions about my life and my process. I answered them as straightforward as I could. Everything seemed OK.
Today I got an email from one of the organizers asking me to not come back. I was making people upset. And she had already removed me from the group. It hurt .. hurts like when you've been dumped for no good reason just as you were beginning to like the guy. Hurts a lot.
I know, in my head, that it isn't really about me. For all their money and education, they don't know much of anything and even less, how to ask real questions about life.
Where I am really struggling is in my Pollyanna world I want to go where I want to go and be able to be me. If no one knows my history, fine. If someone asks about my history, I'll let them know. But if I am going to get rejection? do I out myself first and change all assumptions about me? or do I go stealth and take the chance after I fall in love with the people, the event, the whatever, I would get rejected like some poor relation discovered with a bad birth defect?
I just want to be me! I've paid a price to be who I want to be in this society. I paid my taxes, I voted, I raised my kids to be people who take care of their own responsibilities, I served my country in the armed services. I deserve better than this!
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Good morning Shannon,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about this, but, as we are saying to just about everyone these days, it's their loss. Doesn't change how we feel, but it helps a little. Isn't it wonderful to know that the Lord never abandons us.
Maybe you can find one of the ladies from the group who isn't so narrow- or close-minded, and meet with her for coffee or something and try to educate her. If you can, maybe she could inform the others that you're not some horrible person to fear. They just need educating.
My prayers are going out to you now and always. God bless, and hold your head up high.
*Hugs*
Cynthia
I'm so sorry this happened Mom. =( I am so angry that they could have been so ignorant and so mean. I love you and I'm proud of you. Please don't let this push you back into your shell.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are standing up for yourself too. You're right you DO deserve better! You are worth it.
Sweetheart, someday, my whole world is going to be so beautiful and so wonderful and I will thank Poppa for what he has done for me. And after I have thanked Poppa, I will turn to you, kiss you on the forehead and the cheek and thank you for your love, your support and for believing in me, even when sometimes I didn't believe in myself.
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