Everybody knew it was a father's right to hit everybody, so the way people "helped" was to ask what we had done to set him off. I know this post is for paying subscribers AND I think whatever edited version you would be willing to give to the public would be a gift in many more ways than one.
How do I answer? I was soooo good at compartmentalizing AND hitting/ harming another is NOT part of my Boston Irish Catholic background. SILENCE is an IRISH response - in some ways more painful. This post shocked me - to see in print the "real story" as told by Nilofer Merchant, a real person I LOVE and RESPECT - as a little-little person and a grown-up speaking directly to her neighbors. AND ending with MUSIC - as I was taught by Mariah Fenton, my Therapist, the person who had a profound impact on my becoming who I am.
There is so much in this writing. So much to consider. So much of your love. So much of what we are called to do and have been called to do. That truth that is so hard to look at and yet is shared with a space held for us to look it straight in the eye, no matter how hard that is. Thank you. And the work you have done and continue to do is making a huge change.
Great words. Great thoughts. Nailed it with: "Maybe he didn’t know the specifics, but he knew the imperative." That is a truth for us all.
Everybody knew it was a father's right to hit everybody, so the way people "helped" was to ask what we had done to set him off. I know this post is for paying subscribers AND I think whatever edited version you would be willing to give to the public would be a gift in many more ways than one.
How do I answer? I was soooo good at compartmentalizing AND hitting/ harming another is NOT part of my Boston Irish Catholic background. SILENCE is an IRISH response - in some ways more painful. This post shocked me - to see in print the "real story" as told by Nilofer Merchant, a real person I LOVE and RESPECT - as a little-little person and a grown-up speaking directly to her neighbors. AND ending with MUSIC - as I was taught by Mariah Fenton, my Therapist, the person who had a profound impact on my becoming who I am.
There is so much in this writing. So much to consider. So much of your love. So much of what we are called to do and have been called to do. That truth that is so hard to look at and yet is shared with a space held for us to look it straight in the eye, no matter how hard that is. Thank you. And the work you have done and continue to do is making a huge change.