Posted by AuntieMel on August 3, 2004, at 11:25:50
In reply to Psychobabble, posted by Dinah on August 3, 2004, at 10:43:28
I sure do understand the conflicted feelings. You and your dad are close, but you also have seen him be cruel (your words) to others.
If this same situation came up in a friendship (or here on babble) it would be less conflicting. You would rally around those who were hurt without thinking twice. [I've seen it here, so don't try to say you wouldn't;)]
But this isn't a friendship or babble and it involves people you love and people that make you the you that you are. So the feeling of being pulled in two directions is magnified exponentially. A tough feeling to go through, much less explain to anyone else. I'd say it's durn impossible to explain to someone who hasn't experienced it or seen it first hand.
I understand on a logical level what he's saying about feeling horrible, but on an emotional level horrible is horrible and it's hard to feel good about it.
Can you come up with another topic to talk about in your session in case this comes up and you don't feel able to discuss it? You might be able to steer the conversation away if you can.
Good luck. Keeping a grip is hard enough when someone close is in poor health and much tougher when feelings are conflicted. I know.
poster:AuntieMel
thread:373572
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040728/msgs/373581.html