Truth be told

Well, it's been a big week for "the truth". What is it about parents and children, that even when we're old enough to have our own children, our parents feelings, opinions, approval/disapproval still means so much? It seems that especially that mother-daughter relationship is so fragile, so full of complications...

Coming to terms with being honest with your parents is a huge task. One of my best friends was able to get there this week, and she inspired me to try as well. The problem with putting yourself out there, with finally being able to stop pretending you are who your parents want you to be and start being who you are, is...they might not like it.

I've talked to quite a few people about this. One of my friends said her parents cut her off when she moved in with her boyfriend without being married. Another friend lost her family for about a year when she told them she was gay. Their parents eventually did come back, but sometimes parents don't. Sometimes they are so unflinching in what they believe, it will always be up to you to make good with them. And if you don't, if you hold your head up, stand tall and believe in who you are, sometimes that forces you to create a new family for yourself.

And the opportunity, the possibility of that, although it never takes away the hurt of being rejected by the person or people who raised you, is something to be very, very grateful for.

I know from experience, there are people who will let you come home, even if you haven't been there in a long time. And they'll let you bring other people with you, who need a home too. And they will love them like they are their own, even if they're not.

Sometimes home isn't the way we envisioned it. But thank God, I've learned that it's there.