it's always them.

[raybear]

Sometime after lunch. Sometime after lunch I was actually working. Moving files, moving between my desk and my boss's office because she left for lunch and I wanted the freedom of walking back and forth as freely as possible. Sometime after lunch I was working, and I started writing a letter in my head. I wrote the letter I've always wanted to write, everything I've wanted to say. I recited passages in my head while my fingers felt for the manila folders and I pushed the paper around and pushed the paragraphs around, editing the letter in my head. Then I just slipped. I slipped, and I fell, slumped down into my chair, at a slightly faster rate than normal, with slightly less control. Nearly imperceptible to anyone standing nearby (though no one was) and I slipped. I simultaneously put my hand to my forehead and my elbow to the desk and felt my face start to crumple. Then my heart slipped.
Then I felt ridiculous for being at work. Ridiculous for being so dramatic. I sat up and kept moving.

If it's possible to cry for 0.5 seconds, that's probably what I did. But it happened so quickly, even I didn't notice.

Maybe I'll do it. Maybe I'll write the huge letter of everything. I'll be coming out as everything, everything I am, not just who I fuck or what name I use. I'll come out about what I expect and want and hope from them.

But then what? Then what will happen when they don't write back? Would that letter officially be the straw that broke the coffin? The nail that sealed the came? Why must everything be so ridiculous?

It's funny what I hold onto. Weird moments will resonate with me, and I'll hold them close to my heart for several weeks. Lately, it's been a random comment from Educating Esme that she made when we had dinner. She asked about my family, and I just gave a general update, basically saying I was trying to waste too much energy on them. And she commented that it was really nice of me to have a separate e-mail account that was gender-neutral. It was just a small thing. But it just felt good to have someone notice that I try so goddamn hard, because the people who I'm trying to help certainly don't notice. Or if they do, but they don't tell me.

So what do I want? Maybe I do want it all articulated. Maybe that's why my memory has been spitting out extensive long-forgotten entries. Maybe it would work if the letter wasn't really just for them, but if it was for me. Then even if I don't know where I stand with them, I would know where they stand with me and where I stand with myself. And maybe then I can let go. But I would be putting it down, not letting it crush me. Or letting it slip from my hands.


Tonight I need more home. Last night I fell asleep so early and didn't get much accomplished except dinner. Tonight I need to focus my energy on other things and myself. Get some reading done. Avoid the phone. Avoid too much TV. Go for a walk when feeling sleepy. Compose something. I have so many ideas I'm not getting out there, and I'm not going to lose them, not because of something stupid like they're behavior. Or my behavior. I'm not going to ruin myself, that's for sure.

Comments

Parents just don't understand

[masscooper.livejournal.com]

Sometimes the important thing is to let go, and sometimes the important thing is to get it out.

I'm about to give you advice, and I hope it is helpful. Your parents may never get it, but I suggest that if it is this huge, that you do tell them what's up. In a way that invites them to participate. Maybe they'll take you up on it. Unresolved shit is painful, especially when it get to the point that it's just you and what happened, and they're no longer there to work it out with.

You, of course, know far better than I ever could whether it's worth it or if you're ready. But I would say that if you think it might be and if you think you are, you should go for it.

Either way it's hard. I hope that you are able to find a way to make it easier for yourself. I'm very impressed with your ability to admit how hard and how important this is for you. Good luck.

[ex-fish.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I have the intensive desire to go find your parents, grab them and just shake them while yelling "Do you have any idea what you're missing out on? One of the sweetest, smartest, and funniest people I know is YOUR SON, and you're missing it."

*hug*

[hissyfit.livejournal.com]

i know that no matter how many friends you have or hw close they are to you, how wonderful and supportive your girlfriend is, how great your job is, and how euphoric your life is in general, a rejection from your parents blows it all out of the water and that makes it all seem small and unimportant.

however, you have to realize that those other things are very important, and that you have many people that love and care about you.

i, too, want to shake your parents. they're missing out on one of the greatest guys i know.

i second what they said

[brothernumber3.livejournal.com]

it's weighing so heavily on you
you know that you need to say those things
you've been composing in your head

even if you can't bring yourself to send it
writing it will be something

but if you can bring yourself to send it
it will be yet another step in taking care of yourself
and trying to build the relationship
you want and deserve
do it for you

"Freeing yourself is one thing; claiming ownership of that freed self is another."