Much of our life is spent coming to an understanding that we are largely formed by our circumstances, surroundings, relationships, and choices. There may be no more significant impact on these critical areas of the human experience than family. For good and for bad. When family fosters a sense of love, support, and connectedness we have a greater chance for happiness and well being. Likewise, when family creates strife and conflict, it can significantly increase the challenges family members must overcome. One of the most stark examples of this comes when a parent willingly chooses to disown a child for behavior the parent believes is wrong. These can be hard choices.
But, ladies and gentlemen…this story is not about hard choices. It’s about a mother who seems to have forsaken her role and blindly takes a path that runs counter to the very role of a parent. When her son tells her he is gay, she walks away under the guise of’righteousness’ only to have her ruse exposed by her own father. Frankly, it’s one of the most stunning exhibitions of both intolerance and love I’ve ever seen. All within two generations. This badass grandpa writes this epic note to his daughter:
Dear Christine:
I’m disappointed in you as a daughter. You’re correct that we have a “shame in the family,” but mistaken about what it is.
Kicking Chad out of your home simply because he told you he was gay is the real “abomination” here. A parent disowning her child is what goes “against nature.”
The only intelligent thing I heard you saying in all this was that “you didn’t raise your son to be gay.” Of course you didn’t. He was born this way and didn’t choose it any more than him being left-handed. You, however, have made a choice of being hurtful, narrow-minded and backward. So, while we are in the business of disowning our children, I think I’ll take this moment to say goodbye to you. I now have a fabulous (as the gay put it) grandson to raise, and I don’t have time for a heartless B-word of a daughter.
If you find your heart, give us a call.
-Dad
And the award for “Best Grandfather Ever” goes to this guy! This is proof that there are still a few decent human beings out there.
