BJ spent some of the holidays with my family. I was worried... I was afraid of questions. (Questions that I don't necessarily know, nor care to explore the answers to.) I
was afraid that everyone would push to know what my relationship with BJ
is. (I am very happy with what we have, and I don't want to try to define it for anyone else. Labels just make me feel crazy.) I was afraid of judgments. (The word "judgments" doesn't cover all that I was afraid of. I was afraid of my family acting like I've seen others act. Judgmental. Opinionated. Critical. Self-righteous. Controlling. Abusive. Etc.)
I didn't know how they would react, and I was afraid and anxious. I had no reason to be. It turned out so much better than I could have imagined.
They all welcomed him with open arms. He said he felt loved and accepted and comfortable.
(Of course, anyone would have told me I was being silly for feeling afraid. Parents and siblings all know and love BJ. They come to visit. We all hang out. Grandparents came to visit, and then we went fishing. My aunt sent me a text, personally inviting BJ, and my Grandparents have said several times that BJ is always welcome. Still... all evidence aside, I was a tiny bit anxious.)
At the family Christmas party, we were playing a game, and I drew the question, "What do you like most about the person sitting next to you?" I wondered for a moment if the game was rigged... and then felt grateful that I got to answer that question for everyone to hear... Defining our relationship feels scary and upsetting... Telling people why I love BJ, what I love about him, and why I am glad he is in my life: That is easy and I LIKE doing it.
After the games, we talked with my uncles and aunts about camping trips and fishing trips we've been on, and then about plans for future trips. I felt so comfortable. At home even. We all laughed and told stories, and it was... fun. It turns out, they don't really care what my relationship with him is. Their only care or concern is, "Are you happy?"
The answer to that question is, "Yes," but the answer to that question would have been a "partial yes" if I had had to deal with the questions, the judgments, or any of the things I was afraid of. I know that I'm not supposed to let other people rule my emotions... choose my own happiness and all that... but....
I WANT my family to love and accept me. It's easier to be happy when I have a loving and accepting family. It's easier to be happy when I don't have to choose between what is best for me and what my family wants me to do. It is easier to be happy when they just want me to be happy. I know I can't control that. I know they have every right to think or say or do whatever the hell they want, but the truth is... I want them to love me. I want them to love and accept BJ. I want them to be a part of my life, and I want to be a part of theirs. I want them to know ME, so they can love ME. Pretending that I don't want that, is just plain silly.
There are lots of things in life that I might want that I don't get, and if I didn't get the love and acceptance, I'd deal with that. I might walk away from my family, because if they can't love ME, then what is the point? I might hide from my family, and keep secrets if I thought that is what I needed to do in order to have a relationship with them (and if I thought that was what was best.) I might busy myself making new friends, and create a family of non-relatives. I might insist that it was MY life, and if they wanted me in it, they would accept ME. (And then let them make the choice.) I would do what I had to do... I would find a way to make life worth living, whatever that meant, and I am SO grateful that I don't have to do any of that. I am so grateful that I get to be me, live my life, AND have a loving family.
I feel loved. They don't care what I do, who I live with, what my relationship is... except that they want to know me and be a part of my life.
(Why is it so hard to describe what it is like when people have healthy boundaries that lack judgments? Maybe because the way they acted was healthy and normal, but I'm not used to people being healthy and normal. So, I want to describe the healthy and normal, but it's hard. The ones who know what healthy and normal is don't need the description... and the people who have no clue probably won't understand my descriptions anyway.)
I count myself one of the most lucky people on the planet... I feel loved by the people that I love.
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I like this.
ReplyDeleteI think the title is lovely, what a great place to be. I often wonder if the people I love love me, or if they just tolerate me. Maybe that is because I have some friends who I just tolerate.
Also, you left me hanging...
How did you answer the question? What do you like best about the person you were sitting next to?
I hadn't thought about it until I read your comment, but I used to be more the same way: There were lots of people that I just tolerated... The more comfortable I have gotten with myself, the more love I have for others.
DeleteI don't want to leave you hanging. :) BJ was sitting next to me, and there is so much that I like about him, it was too hard to pick just one thing. I chose to share that I love his passion for horses, the outdoors, and learning. I love the adventures we have shared - as we have been all over the mountains together, and I love planning more adventures together.
That sounds hopeful, thanks.
DeleteAww Jenfo, I'm glad BJ felt loved and welcomed. My biggest fear is not for you or for the fam but for him cuz if he don't like us and don't wanna come around i fear that you'd do the same. If I get you cranky I know you'll get cranky and then if I know, I can help fix/stop what ever was happening to do that. I hope Bj feels that he can do the same but I don't know yet.
ReplyDeleteBJ says he would probably talk to you if there was something that upset him. He's pretty darn easy going though. I look forward to going on adventures... in Alaska... so everyone can get to know each other better!
Delete"I feel loved by the people I love..." Oh, Miss Jen! Such a beautiful place to be. I relate to that so much and I know that, for me, when I'm in that space I realize that it is because I have finally started choosing ME. I can feel your joy radiating in every word of this post and in the e-interactions we've had. That love and joy is contagious and intoxicating. I feel so grateful that you are in this delightful, full, and expansive experience! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete:) Thanks for being a part of my journey Angie.
DeleteI worried for you a little bit when you picked that question but I was proud of how well you handled it. I hope you continue not hiding and being yourself. I love the person you are.
ReplyDelete:) Love you!
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