No one has ever been able to really give me any "great" advice on this matter, so I thought I'd see if you could. When I was six months old, my drunkard of a mother left. I had a very happy childhood nonetheless and because I had an amazing father and grandparents, I never really thought much of not having a mother or cared where she was (prison).
She has tried getting into contact with me several times these last few years and every time I even start to warm up to the idea, she falls off the wagon again. I find her pathetic not because of her addiction, but because of this sudden animosity I feel towards her. I am unsure how to come at peace with her, or how to really accept the fact that I don't have a mother figure to talk to anymore. I have a step mother but she is of no use, and often acts like a child. She can be fine at some points, but most of the time is just concerned with her children.
Any suggestions?
IT SOUNDS TO ME like the problem lies in trying to fill a hole that's already been filled. Let me explain.
Your mother keeps disappointing you. She comes into your life, shows signs of hope, and makes you believe that things might actually get better, and that you'll finally have the mother figure that you were deprived of. So you get excited, drop your guard, and let yourself feel safe with her. You start to depend on her, but ultimately she succumbs to her addiction, and you're left devastated, once again. It's sad.
But from what I'm hearing, you don't need a mother figure. You've already got one, even it your mother figure isn't in the form of a single woman. Think about it. You were raised and loved by your father, your grandparents, your family friends, and your community, and you grew up to be an intelligent, compassionate, emotionally sophisticated person. You were mothered by a network of caring human beings who all played some role in your maturation into the wonderful person you are today.
When you see your mom, you don't need to get your hopes up that she'll finally play the part of the devoted mother because that part has been filled. She is who she is and that won't change, but that's okay because you're not missing anything. Who knows. Maybe you'll even end up playing that role for your mom.
4 comments:
...or just stop being so judgmental. Doris Lessing's left two kids to become who she is; Buddha walk out on his first born son to seek enlightenment (which he might have never found). Just because your mom's life is not about you that doesn't mean you are not worthy or she is a bad person. It is what it is. We don't choose our parents. Accept this and love her (and other sentinel beings) for who she is.
Edahn, you definitely make sense here to me. I haven't spoken with her in months and I've come to rely on my Aunt for questions, or even my father. Thank you for this.
As far as the above comment, you're certainly entitled to your opinion. My mother isn't Buddha and she has done nothing but be a dreg on society for much of her life. It's unfortunate that THAT is the path she chose over being there and loving the five children she's brought into this world, at any point in our lives.
Thanks, Edahn. :)
Err I donno you guys I grew up with one parent and came to think about it that way: our moms had a choice They could have get rid of us easily They chose to keep us and go thru 9 months of hell and then painful labor. Souldn't we be thankful regadless of the other choices they've made? Isn't life the greatest gift? Would you rather she chose otherwise?
Love you Edahn!
Hate you annonymous!
Now what the hell was my intention for the day?
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