17 Comments
User's avatar
RobinPlays's avatar

Tabitha, you don’t know how much I relate to what you just wrote about your mother. I won’t go into deets because I don’t want to hijack your pain or make it seem like I have it worse. I just so feel this because I have the same type of Mom. And I’m her caretaker! I will say this, when my father died about 8 years ago, I was there. I held his hand, I set him free by telling him we’d take care of Mom. I called my sibs who couldn’t be there to have them talk to his unconscious body. I sat the death watch for a man I once hated, and who I now felt only sadness for what could have been. I never cried. 8 years later, still no tears because I really just don’t feel anything for him. He was the male version of my mom but worse. Anyways, I’m sorry that you had to see someone that tormented you.

Expand full comment
RobinPlays's avatar

I want to add this too, I hate my father’s big hands. They only caused physical pain to me, that or a wooden stick. It took all my emotional strength to take his hand while he was dying.

Expand full comment
Tabitha Blair's avatar

Thanks for sharing! Yes, this toxic parental thing is so venomous and heartbreaking to deal with. So complex and painfully dense. I just always strive to see the lesson in the mirror of what the Universe shows me in these tests. And all I keep seeing is the strength despite their attempts to keep us weak! Stay strong, Robin!

Expand full comment
RobinPlays's avatar

It made me a better parent than my own, that’s for sure. Was I perfect? No. And I owned my mistakes. My 2 daughters turned out to be fantastic women. They will still hold my hand in public. 🥰🥰🥰🥰 now I need grandbabies! 😊😊😊 (but I don’t pressure them about it! 😆😆)

Expand full comment
Kathy Darby's avatar

Great writing... Painful words and very powerful

Expand full comment
Tabitha Blair's avatar

Thank you so much. 🥹. I appreciate you

Expand full comment
Radical Liberal's avatar

Facing unloving parents is one of life’s greatest challenges.

Expand full comment
Tabitha Blair's avatar

Really and truly.

Expand full comment
QuYahni B Joseph's avatar

Aiy. So familiar a story. But Imuh hold this space for you. Sometimes we need an encounter with the thing we are healing from to show us just how powerful we are and to learn to be ok with not always having the spiritual energy to fight.

From where I’m standing, you did good. Real good.

Expand full comment
Tabitha Blair's avatar

🥹 Yeah I was also reminded not to be caught slipping. I already knew I was elbows deep in a spiritual testing mode while I was detoxing/fasting….but I forgot to stay ready for all levels of foolishness. I’m proud I didn’t crash out or come out of my gentle character despite the inner rage.

But more importantly, I didn’t revert to my toxic coping addictions when I got home. Whew! These exams be tryna take me out!

Meanwhile, I appreciate you for holding space and grace. 🤗💕

Expand full comment
QuYahni B Joseph's avatar

Yeah, fasting/detoxing is tricky. It can leave you vulnerable so you’re right about staying on point. So glad you held up under it and you didn’t fold to the old 💙

Expand full comment
Jamal Robinson's avatar

Damn! I'm sorry for the loss and triggering experience with your mom!

Expand full comment
Tabitha Blair's avatar

Thanks Jamal 🥹🙏🏽.

Expand full comment
Susan Shirley's avatar

I’m so sorry for your pain, and your family’s pain. I do get it, about your mom. Please, please, do extra good and gentle things for yourself, for as long as it takes.

Expand full comment
Tabitha Blair's avatar

🤗 it’s my focus for the next while. Thank you 🫡💕

Expand full comment
Logan Darrow's avatar

That was gutwrenching.

Expand full comment
Tabitha Blair's avatar

I figured if I had to go thru it, I'd drag the rest of y'all with me. 😅🥹😔

Expand full comment