Dysfunctional Families Day

[browngirl]

You are all fired.

Well, no, not really, of course. But how come no one told me about Dysfunctional Families Day?! OTOH, it's probably a good idea I didn't read this discussion when it was current, since when that tripy little "family uber alles" enabler-of-abusers showed up in comment #9 I would have come out swinging at him. Just rereading, months later, I yelled at my computer and alarmed my roommate.

Today's my birthday. I may call my mom to thank her for it, but I also may not, depending on how I think the conversation may go; my life is mine now, and those who know my story know what I mean by that.

Comments

[peteralway.livejournal.com]

That explains everything--I was married on Dysfunctional Families Day.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Oh honey, I am so sorry.

[jenny_evergreen]

Geez, don't scare a girl like that! :P
You know how I feel about the family thing, and I had a good one! *hugs*

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Hey, *you* have tenure. :) *huggles you*

[jerusha.livejournal.com]

Yes, but did you read far enough to see him get smacked down by the moderator at #22?

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

I cheered.

But seriously... I can so see him returning a child to their abusive parents, telling a teenager they're just being adolescent when they try to report abuse, telling off an adult for 'disrespecting' their parents. I didn't call him an enabler lightly.

And there's... There is a particular arrogance people always wear when they enter a safe space for a certain group of people and tell those people You Are All Wrong. I've seen it from people coming into women's safe spaces, queerspace, spaces for people of color, spaces for nonChristian people and nonreligious people, all to tell us, as Someone From The Majority, just how wrong we are. It's the same damn arrogance, and it dripped off him, it really did.

[lferion]

Happy birthday!

I have been saaaavoring your fruitcake. NOMNOMNOM!

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

*beam* Thank you, and I'm so glad you like it! I've been saving yours for my Day of Fruitcake Need, and then I shall luxuriate!

[chillyrodent.livejournal.com]

Oh please - every day is DF Day!

I don't yet know your FOO story. Mine is pretty FOO-ked up, too.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Oh, mine is nothing terribly original. Parents pray for a child, parents have a child, parents beat child for her own good and raise her in a fundamentalist church and tell her no one will ever love her but them, parents are surprised when child grows up, goes to college, and promptly takes off.

I understand you've had your own adventures with evangelical Christianity. One day we will have a beverage together and trade tales.

[chillyrodent.livejournal.com]

Well, the theme may repeat, but the whispers behind your story are unique.

Yes, I have and Yes we will!

[thnidu.livejournal.com]

Well, happy BIRTHDAY!!!!

Come on, let's all put the "fun" in "dysfunctional" and get rid of the "diss".

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

*laughs and hugs you*

Seriously, thank you for being one of the people who showed me that people can get along with their children.