Friday, April 10, 2009

So it has been a while and that is mostly because I have been rather too stressed to focus on anything as long as a typical blog post. (Which has made homework a lot more challenging, too.)

Basically, I think about two weeks ago my dad wrote me a letter. This, you may be able to guess, could never be a good thing--he could have called if it was. In this letter, he made himself feel better by letting me know his opinions on things I already know his opinion on: my bad choices re: dating a guy who is not Catholic mostly. Also there is one time that he knows of that I spent the night at Greg's and this made him very upset. So there was a lot about how I have ruined my reputation but it can be fixed if I work very hard etc. etc. Then at the end he's like, call me after you read this. Blegh. Anyway, this letter would have been bad enough on its own, but it isn't the first of its nature . . . but somehow compounded with them moving to Kansas in order to protect the other kids from growing up and turning out like me . . . I don't know I was seriously freaking out. I just did not know what to do and I could not call my dad--I didn't see much point and I didn't want to talk to him. And yet I am so so so scared of losing contact with them, I am so afraid that once they move to Kansas they'll just start pretending I don't exist and I just won't have a family anymore. This was also exacerbated by finally watching the Royal Tenenbaums for the first time which was . . . bad timing. And I came to the decision that I needed to let my dad know once and for all how I feel.

So I write him a letter back in which I explained that although I love him very much, I think he is wrong and making a huge mistake. I have never dared to even hint at my parents that I do not believe in this religion and now I was just like, "this is wrong and stupid and you need to stop." Also I begged them to not move, although it is really already too late--our house is completely sold and they are leaving in May. And I actually sent this letter. I think I sent it Tuesday night. I don't know if they have gotten it yet or not. I do not know what will happen when they do. My sister is honestly pretty sure this will ruin the chances of our family ever being all in one place ever again and is really mad at me. I am really scared too, but at the same time, I really do want them to read it. I am sick of pretending. But it kills me to think I may never be allowed to see my little brothers and sisters again. I miss them all so much and I am always to scared to call home because the conversations so often turn bad. I am not going home for Easter. I hope I will still be able to go home one last time before they leave.

Ugh now I am getting all upset again. But I am in a good mood today because I did another thing I probably shouldn't have: I ordered a new laptop! My old computer is really pretty beat. It makes horrible sounds whenever I turn it on and it really has a hard time playing WoW, I haven't even tried to put the latest expansion on it. I've been looking on Craigslist for a used one, I probably could have gotten something that would have been an improvement for not too much money, but I also decided I would really like a laptop. I really want to be able to go outside in the sun and work/play. And it is really hard to find a laptop that can play WoW. It needs to have non-integrated graphics card. I emailed a few laptop sellers I found on craigslist but none of them could play WoW even though they were better computers than mine.

So today I started a chat with a guy from Dell just to get more info on finding a laptop that had a good enough graphics card. Annnnd he basically talked me into buying one. I really should have saved the money, but this is seriously such a sweet computer and it was less than $700 so it was still less than my tax refund. I am saying that is how I paid for it. =P I am soooo excited to get it! I won't be until the first week of May though, what a long wait!

Anyways, I miss you guys! I guess I should get back to work, I have a couple charts that have been requested since starting this post . . .

10 comments:

  1. wow. I'm really, really impressed that you sent that letter... wow. I hope everything works out for the best-- always remember that you can come to my house in NH anytime you want and play with the borzois and fireworks. Let me know what happens... I'll be hoping for the best... and worrying until things get better :(

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  2. Alicia, I absolutely think you're doing the right thing. If you don't believe in your parents' religion anymore, then you can't just pretend, and in an ideal world, they wouldn't force you down their narrow path. Of course, reality is much harder than that... My parents are both ex-Catholics, and at some point they had to make the same choice, and more or less leave their families.

    The good news is, for them at least, all is well now and they still keep in touch with their families out of state. So I think that eventually your parents will remember that you're still their daughter regardless that the choices you make are different from theirs.

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  3. I agree. I think that sending the letter was the right thing to do. And you are very brave for having done it. I hope things work out for the best. *hugs*

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear about the family trouble - to echo everyone else, I think what you're doing is really really brave, and that being so honest sounds like it will lay the groundwork for making things better. I hope things work themselves out soon!

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  5. Well I certainly can't express these sentiments better than everyone else has, so *ditto* and *HUGS!* There may be rough times ahead, but I'm sure everything will work out for the best.

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  6. We all care about you alot Alicia and really respect you for refusing to live a lie anymore. I hope that your parents can come to understand your choice even if they don't agree with it. Also, if you ever want someone else to talk to feel free to give me a call or send me an e-mail or whatever. Also lots and lots of HUGS!!!

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  7. Ugh Alicia! I feel like such a failure! I thought I knew--but apparently I didn't--how intense your dad was. I mean, COME ON, how on EARTH could he possibly think that YOU are a bad influence on your little broheims et sisters? You've got to be the number one most awesome older sibling I have ever met! And you're SUCH a good person!!!!! You volunteer, you always give money to hobos, and you are so generous with your love and friendship!!!!!! How could your father not see all these fantastic qualities you have?!?!? UGH makes me so angry!

    I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this kind of pressure from your family. :( I know (at least I think I know) how much they all mean to you, but I don't think they could ever just pretend like you don't exist. You love them enough to do all you can to stay in touch with them and be part of their lives, and I think that will be enough, even if your relationship with your dad is strained. At least, I hope all this. Hope from the bottom of my shallow little evil heart. :) <3

    Is there anyone else in your family who is on your side, who might be willing to act as a mediator? Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents? You have tons of people who love you, so I hope you don't let your dad's narrow vision of right vs. wrong make you feel like you’re all alone. I know it hurts most because it's your dad, and you love/hero-worship him, but he's human and fallible. You'll just have to prove to him that you're a great human being regardless of religion. It may take time, but I know that you can do it--because you really are such a good person, and that’s something that everyone who has ever met you can tell.

    Love you VERY MUCH! Please cheer up! <3

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  8. And congrats on getting your new laptop! Have you named him/her/it yet??? Maybe you should name him Arthur! Because Arthur's your hero, right? ;)

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  9. LAST COMMENT I SWEAR! (Lovingly) ripped off from Wicked:

    Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
    But because I knew you
    I have been changed for good

    :)

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  10. Brave doesn't even begin to describe you. I'm a bit behind the ball on this post, but I really hope things get better. You ARE a great human being, like Heather said. You know that, and I hope your dad sees through his veil of... whatever it is. I don't like calling faith stupidity, but it's seeming to lean to that side with this one. You're wonderful, honestly.

    Hugs!!!
    xo

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