Thank you for this…you always manage to verbalize my thoughts in such an eloquent way. Lately, and let’s be honest, frequently over the past 8 years, I’ve been vacillating between fear and panic about Trump coming back into power. His candidacy and his hold on the Republican Party have obliterated the previously fragile relationship Trevor and I had with his parents. I can’t rationalize how people who claim to be so godly can be so hateful. They have completely turned us off from organized religion, and have almost zero relationship with our kids. You’d think that barely knowing your grandchildren would cause them to take a look at their behavior, but they continue to believe that we’re the problem. I feel like I’ve been angry and grieving my kids’ lack of a healthy grandparent relationship for most of my marriage. I just want this man to disappear, but deep down I know that likely won’t actually fix the underlying problem. Anyway, I apologize for rambling…I want you to know that your writing is a bright spot in an otherwise dark time. It’s one of the things that’s helping me stay strong in this never ending conveyer belt of trauma.
Jessica! I am so glad you're here and still reading, and I appreciate so much what you've shared -- makes me feel like my tiny corner of the internet has some purpose. ❤️
Trevor and I sound like we share many commonalities in our backgrounds (and I have very low contact with that side of my family too, something that has a long history but the Trump era just sped the decline! They have almost zero relationship w/ my kids too). I too wish that parents like these seemed moved at all by having/not having a relationship with their children and grandchildren, but it doesn't seem to matter?? It's hard to fathom. And so sad. 😢
❤️ That's right, we better hope that we therapists at least have a couple coping skills in our back pocket! One of them is knowing this community is here online :)
You captured my feelings exactly, Christine. I know and like many Trumpers, but I am incredulous, first, that they can't see through the criminal con man, and, second, that he does not absolutely and utterly offend their Christian values. I have never seen the like of it and hope we never see it again after his influence is gone (which could never come too soon!)
Thank you for this…you always manage to verbalize my thoughts in such an eloquent way. Lately, and let’s be honest, frequently over the past 8 years, I’ve been vacillating between fear and panic about Trump coming back into power. His candidacy and his hold on the Republican Party have obliterated the previously fragile relationship Trevor and I had with his parents. I can’t rationalize how people who claim to be so godly can be so hateful. They have completely turned us off from organized religion, and have almost zero relationship with our kids. You’d think that barely knowing your grandchildren would cause them to take a look at their behavior, but they continue to believe that we’re the problem. I feel like I’ve been angry and grieving my kids’ lack of a healthy grandparent relationship for most of my marriage. I just want this man to disappear, but deep down I know that likely won’t actually fix the underlying problem. Anyway, I apologize for rambling…I want you to know that your writing is a bright spot in an otherwise dark time. It’s one of the things that’s helping me stay strong in this never ending conveyer belt of trauma.
Jessica! I am so glad you're here and still reading, and I appreciate so much what you've shared -- makes me feel like my tiny corner of the internet has some purpose. ❤️
Trevor and I sound like we share many commonalities in our backgrounds (and I have very low contact with that side of my family too, something that has a long history but the Trump era just sped the decline! They have almost zero relationship w/ my kids too). I too wish that parents like these seemed moved at all by having/not having a relationship with their children and grandchildren, but it doesn't seem to matter?? It's hard to fathom. And so sad. 😢
Here with you in anxious fretting! I wish you (and all of us) peace, love, and coping skills! 😘
❤️ That's right, we better hope that we therapists at least have a couple coping skills in our back pocket! One of them is knowing this community is here online :)
Wolves in Elephant's Clothing: Trump, Epstein, and the GOP’s Twisted Legacy
The party that preaches family values while enabling abuse, spreading lies, and betraying the innocent in pursuit of power.
https://substack.com/home/post/p-151168540?r=4d7sow&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
You captured my feelings exactly, Christine. I know and like many Trumpers, but I am incredulous, first, that they can't see through the criminal con man, and, second, that he does not absolutely and utterly offend their Christian values. I have never seen the like of it and hope we never see it again after his influence is gone (which could never come too soon!)
Thanks for putting in words so much of what I am also feeling and have experienced ❤️