LGBT
Related: About this forumGay groom's emotional letter to his parents after they refused to attend his wedding
Dear Mom and Dad,
Its been 890 days since the day that you both decided not to partake in my wedding. I dont know why its taken me this long to say anything about it. Perhaps Ive been afraid of what the family will think, what the family might say. Or perhaps Ive been afraid of losing even more of my wonderful, beautiful family, whom I think about day and night.
But the time is now because Ive finally grown too tired of the 890 days and nights of being haunted by your presenceby your lack of presence, to be more precise. Im tired of night after night of dreaming of you. And tonight, I had the most unpleasant of dreamsone that jolted me from my sleep and disallowed me to return to it.
So at 6:22 a.m., after little more than three hours of sleep, Im writing this letter to youknowing that it is taking from my opportunity of getting a full nights rest before work; but Id rather work on little sleep than on little dignity.
As not to keep anyone in the family excluded (any longer), Im sending this letter to everyone involved. I want everyone to know what had happened on my last visit to you, before my beautiful, wonderful wedding.
Im not writing this letter in an act of vengeance (even though it feels like it is), but rather, Im doing it because Im tired of walking on eggshells around my siblings, godchildren, nephews and nieces. Im tired of having to be civil with both of you, for the sake of the family. Im also tired of the unwanted holiday and birthday gifts, and Im tired of you having the audacity to speak to my husband (and myself) as if nothing has happened. Have you no shame?
I think its time that I told my side of the story to the family, as Im sure you have already told yours. I want everything to be out in the open, so that I can feel like I have all of my dignity with me when I will undoubtedly see you at family gatheringsgatherings which I now would rather avoid if it means that either of you will be present; I have other ways of seeing my family.
On May 13, 2013, I made the trip out to New Jerseythe day after Mothers Dayto take you out for lunch because I had to work the previous day. You picked me up at the train station and we stopped at A and P to pick up a birthday card for one of the boys.
On the way there, I told you about how Michaels extended family, whod be traveling from Georgia, Colorado and beyondin part to meet you!were so excited about meeting you. You simply replied that you both would not be going to the wedding. I tried my best to retain composure, thinking that Id be able to change your mind before the big day.
By the time we left A and P, you started citing the Bible, while unsuspecting shoppers were bustling about us, running their afternoon errands.
And by the time we got back to the car, youd mentioned your fear of an angel appearing to you, saying, Stop praying for Patrick! Hes already in hell! I knew then that it was time to go to my last resort and give an ultimatum which I never expected would be fulfilled.
I explained to you, simply and calmly, that if you (both) did not attend my wedding, you would not see me again after the wedding: no holidays, no birthdays, no hospitals, no funerals. What I heard next put me into a state of mild shock. You followed up, quickly and readily, with, We know that!
I talked to your dad last night and we already accept it! We said that we give you back to God! I recall other things being said, which Ill omit here.
As I sat in shockshock that you would rather never see me again than attend my weddingyou simply moved onto your next subject: Well, I guess you dont want to go to lunch anymore.
As I opened the car door to walk back to the train station, you offered, Let me drive you back to the train. Let it be the one last thing that I do for you. If there was any doubt in my mind that Id misunderstood what youd said to me previously, you had clarified your intentions then and there.
Mom and Dad: By not attending my wedding, you rejected me, and you rejected my husband, who is my own immediate family. I, in turn, reject anyone that rejects my familyout of dignity and respect for it. But I am offering resolution.
I will forgive you both for what you have done, if you, in front of the entire family (from youngest to eldest) admit that what you both did was wrong; admit that you both should have been at the wedding. Because I do think that what you both have done is shameful. Youve torn a family apart. But what breaks my heart most is what this has done to the youngest in the familythe ones who were too young to know, or too young to understand what was going on. The ones whose only conclusion was perhaps Patrick must be bad or He must have done something wrong because Grandma didnt go to his wedding. That is where I think you both should bear the shame, not me.
I want everyone to know everything. And maybe tonight, Ill finally be able to sleep the whole night through.
With Best Intentions,
Patrick
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/08/04/this-gay-grooms-emotional-letter-to-his-parents-after-they-refused-to-attend-his-wedding-will-make-you-cry/
rurallib
(62,407 posts)Families breaking up over religion seems to be pretty common. I wonder if they ever stop to analyze what their so called religion is in contrast to one of their children.
Certainly hope this young man is able to find peace.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Because of their actions toward me I converted to Buddhism 22 years ago.
rurallib
(62,407 posts)but no one in my family has asked. My parents died 40 years ago, so I avoided that confrontation.
As a kind of outsider now I am just amazed at how much importance people put on their religions.
lambchopp59
(2,809 posts)Most of whom Jesus would walk on the other side of the street pretending to be on the phone to avoid.
SWBTATTReg
(22,114 posts)Wasn't really sure how to immediately respond to it, other than of course immediately my heart going out to the two of you that your folks would pick what would be the best day of your life, at that time, to do what they did, and make such negative statements to you, their son. I've been around for a long time, and I would have given them a tongue-lashing, behind the toolshed, which they sorely desired.
They ask for respect for their religion and beliefs, and then trample everyones else's belief w/o remorse and justify their actions by using the scriptures (even Jesus said respect the law of the Romans...). Sad, that the scriptures can be interpreted in so many different ways (depending upon the reader themselves) that you can pretty well support any heinous or reprehensible act.
A biblical story I recall from long ago (and forgive me if I mangle it) is that Jesus was asked by his disciples why he hung around w/ folks w/ criminal backgrounds, and other sinners, etc., and he said basically, how else are you going to bring the word of god to them? So, he treated them (the criminals, sinners, etc.) as equally as his other disciples, and still forgave them anyways (30 pieces of silver guy, Judas)...
Now of course I am NOT equating you and yours as sinners what-so-ever, no way, and congratulate you two on your happy day. I just like this story because of the point it drives home
My cousin, who is lesbian, and my favorite cousin too, was in a 7th day adventurist group along w/ her family, told me of similar remarks and/or treatment made by her brother and parents to her and her other half.
What's ironic about this situation now is, that the brother or the 7th day church (who the parents would leave their large farm to, when they pass) are not helping w/ the long term health case of his mom (severe dementia,
who's in a nursing home), but instead, my lesbian cousin (a RN) is providing all of the care now...
Who do you think God will award, eh?
This is not the only story I have about religious hypocrites that I witnessed first hand ... when it comes to $, I guarantee you that morals in a lot of cases will be rapidly pushed aside.
Best wishes to you and yours, forever.
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)SWBTATTReg
(22,114 posts)thanks for pointing out...I guess the subj./topic got me thinking all over the map...
take care...
SWBTATTReg
(22,114 posts)thanks again for link...a picture is worth a thousand words...