Tag Archives for family

Original Sin

Original Sin

Image: Geo Sans

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imperfect

god created man

in his image

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childhood trauma

my primary source

of guilt and pain

my family and church

our innocence lost

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righteous rage

he was a jealous god

insecure, uncertain

fear trumped love

anger overruled compassion

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reconciliation

forgive me father

I forgive you god

for all our sins

we’re only human

 

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B L O O D L I N E S

Purging an old covenant. First memories of my dad. Small prairie church in the 1970s. Our family fills an entire front row.

My father is 38 (anxious). He has 5 children under eight years old and his wife is carrying their sixth child. He is trying to sell the family farm.

Squeaming, screaming. Church feels unbearably long for children and parents (there’s no peace on earth).

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W O N D E R

I’m three years old and staring at a church bulletin. A line drawing of an adult Jesus. For the first time, I notice a nose isn’t the smudged dot from my drawings. My eyes trace and memorize this new shape.

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T H U N D E R

When home, my dad yells, snarls. We weren’t still and quiet enough. His belt swings hard against our bare flesh. We all taste the burning sting and shame of fear, anger, pain.

I close my eyes unable to block my older brother’s terror. His anguishing bone chilling howls of horror. I still see your purple watery face. You are only six.

Instilling a fear of god. Subconsciously, I start hating going to church (anxiety) — and I grew up resenting my father’s authoritative power. We did not understand each other. We lived and spoke different languages. I ended up focusing on what my dad wasn’t.

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C O N T R A D I C T I O N S

Identifying, processing. This trauma was extremely difficult for me. My dad wasn’t a violent man. He was soft-spoken. He always cared for us, was always there. He was hardworking and sombre. And I can vividly remember each and every rare time he genuinely smiled — or lost his temper. Both very rare.

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I N N O C E N C E

It’s been 10 years since our family’s last Christmas with our father. Even though he never said it, I know he loved me. It was difficult for us to give and receive. We both had trouble with emotions.

Different views, perspectives. Time has helped with understanding. Maybe it wasn’t fair to judge my father. Maybe meaningful relationships can eclipse one traumatic moment.

Today, I open my heart to you dad. I apologize for the walls I built. And I forgive you for your old trespasses. I’m ready to live and love you freely. Peace to you — and peace to me.

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L I N K S:

Study Proves Spanking Hurts Your Kids’ Mental Health

What is Religious Trauma Syndrome?

Present

G R A T I T U D E

Currently, I’m focusing my time and attention on being present for my wife, my daughter, and my family. My time, being there, is the greatest gift I can give them.

R E L A T I O N S H I P S

Because of family loss and tragedy, I was struggling with relating to myself, my spouse — and in a larger sense — my perception of the world. My writings have been vulnerable experiments and expressions of uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. Creatively, I’ve been learning to open my heart and find the courage to be myself again.

L I S T E N I N G

Writing and sharing with you has been a major source of my healing. Facing my emotional pain and confusion hasn’t been easy. Thank you for holding my hand through this process. I’m grateful for your gentle challenges and support over the years.

R E C O N N E C T I N G

I am worthy — and everyday I’m more hopeful and thankful. I’m opening my mind to life’s tricky perspectives. I’m starting to fully appreciate the diverse colours, hues and wondrous changes (and challenges) of this moment. I’m in awe of our kaleidoscope. Thank you for sharing and caring during my transformation.

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Geo Sans

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Present / 1

Present / 2

Present / 3

Images: Family Doodles

Passing

my dad’s sister

vividly remembered

the night their mom died

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a vision

at the foot of her bed

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a beautiful girl

surrounded by green grass

lovely flowers

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in her low dialect

she spoke

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Look at Me

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she thought

I’m dreaming

again

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Look at Me

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Look at Me

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then gone

my aunt took sick

three weeks in the hospital

a severe flu