By all accounts, I am considered an inspirational speaking juggernaut.
Noted for finding the appropriate words to stir-up raw emotions and passions, thousands can attest to how I have motivated them to solve their problems, how I have motivated them to heal their sorrows, and how I have motivated them to bring closure to their open wounds.
My knack and reputation for uttering the right words, the right phrases, the right sentences, at the right time and my finesse in resolving, squashing, and squelching rifts hasn’t transferred to my family. Seemingly, success has eluded me and my multiple gallant efforts have been for naught. Attempts to bring about reconciliations and healings triggers a familial jihad!
Need an Abe Lincoln to end the freaking war!
Each time that I hear about the untimely death of anyone, I immediately think of the precious time and energy that is squandered by family members who wallow in hatred and resentments.
Each time that I peruse the obituary section of the newspaper, I often think how quickly each of us is fast approaching our expiration date without resolution to our impasse. Frankly, once the death notice is posted, it’s going to be much too late to say goodbye, much too late to repeat I love you, and much too late to whisper I’m sorry.
Death is so final!
Each time a holiday or a birthday comes and goes, my heart disconnects from my emotions as it is virtually impossible to truly be in a celebratory mood knowing full well that there is a vacant “space” where the absent kindred once occupied.
Each time the door bell or the telephone rings in the wee hours of the morning, I hold my breath fearing that tragedy has revisited us prior to a truce, prior to the exchange of an olive branch, or prior to waving the white flag!
Where is the love?
Each time my daughter grows an inch, invisible tears visit my face because rabid animosity prevented her paternal grandmother and great-grandmother from getting to meet and know their beautiful grand and great-granddaughter. Wonder if their attitudes would have changed if they had been forewarned about their sudden deaths.
Spiteful!
Similarly, her maternal grandmother, who lives within proximity to us, also refuses to meet, greet, or even show an inkling of grandmotherly love!
Pitiful!
Telephone calls to or from her maternal grandfather are sporadic and quickly loses depth after the utterance of “hello.” Guess I should just be thankful for small wonders!
Hallelujah!
Help Wanted: Need Satan to give this family a respite from his handiwork!
Help Wanted: Need to know how much longer we are going to assassinate one another with vile silence, asinine attitudes, uncivil treatments, and acidic words?
Help Wanted: Need a “reversal of fortune” from this seismic and deadly iceberg!
Help Wanted: Need to be reminded—–whose God do you profess to serve?
Help Wanted: Need a date and a place for this “exorcism!”
Yep, unresolved “drama” that began between husband and wife has festered into catastrophic “trauma” between parents and children for nearly six decades!
Translation: 60 years!
What’s the big deal, people?
Espousing suggestions for terminating the despicable seeds of “malice” that grips and intertwines within families and implodes relationships is far too bothersome to enumerate.
Folks, let’s just cut to the chase!
Try some old-fashion humility and then repeat the following three words:
“Please forgive me!”
Worked 4 Jesus!
Excellent analysis but families are like individuals, imperfect. No matter how crazy, selfish and hateful members of your family get, we still have to love them even though we protect ourselves from them, and others, at all times.
Well said.