I cried when I saw the movie Prayers for Bobby. I felt so much like Bobby, and because I was almost at that breaking point, I tried to get my parents to watch it, but they wouldn’t have it. My dad had to get up and go for a drive when I told him what it was about and my mother just lit a cigarette and sat in the recliner, crossed her arms, and said, “So what, you like it up the ass?” I couldn’t drive at the time so I just walked down to the lake and fell to my knees on the beach, sobbing, digging my clenched fists into the sand. They had twisted the truth and made me believe that I was the one who had something wrong with him. It took some serious time and thinking, as well as several nights where I cried myself to sleep to realize that I was perfectly normal. They were the ones who had issues with not loving me for who I am. My dad grew even more distant and my mom grew more hostile. After a breakup with a long distance boyfriend, my world came crashing down because I had nowhere to turn. I’m just sorry it took a failed suicide attempt for my parents to realize how much their hatred was hurting me inside and out.
{hug}
Powerful story… I hope things are starting to get better for you. That’s an amazing book and movie!
I’m so sorry you had to go through all that. And I’m so glad you failed at that suicide attempt.
Sending you psychic hugs over the Interwebs…
It’s hard to get to the point where you realize some parents don’t deserve respect or even love, but truly some parents don’t. Just because they’re your parents doesn’t mean they’re good people. It’s a shame we all have emotional attachments to them.
I just found this site and was interested in the stories of “conversion” to use against the bigots who believe in such things. I came across your story. I used to live in Laingsburg and currently live in Bath. If you ever need someone to talk to, I think I’m a good listening ear. I am disabled from complications from cancer (which I do not have anymore), and have time to advocate for those who are afraid to have their voices heard against such ugly bigotry. I’m so glad you didn’t end up taking your life, you sound like a beautiful person who deserves to walk this earth more than others, and I hope your relationship with your parents is getting even better over time. You can find me on FB under Heather Thornton-Wiles.
Good luck to you, and I hope to hear from you. Take care.