As if I need to offer more proof of just how pathetic I am, I know. Just the same please allow me to share with you the content of todays counseling session. All of it sparked by a last minute decision to participate in a national event.
” As crazy and as stupid as it sounds, not to mention the immature part, the fact of the matter is this- I wish I was his child. Not all the time and not in the disgusting want to sleep with Daddy kind of way.”
A blank stare then a nod from the counselor to go on.
“I wish I had that kind of bond, that kind of special place in his heart and in his life. I wish I knew that kindness and patience. I wish he wanted to take me to lunches with his colleagues and show me off. But why would he, right? I’m just his fiancee- his fat fiancee at that. It’s not like I can blame him for not wanting me to meet his coworkers.”
A sigh and some scribbles on her legal pad. Another nod to go on.
“Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes I do feel as if he loves me like a child. There are times that he’s so sweet and gentle, times that he holds me close and I feel so completely his. But it’s not like it is with his kids. Oh God. Is this another thing that goes back to the fact that we’re not going to ever have a child together?”
Counselor: Please don’t make me laugh at you. Keep going and you’ll figure it out on your own just as you always do. I’m a safe place for you to voice it aloud and set it all straight. So do it. I’m not going to do it for you.
“I always hit this point and chicken out, don’t I? I run off on a tangent in an attempt to not face the real issue. Fuck!”
A nod and a gentle but definitely prompting smile from the counselor.
“I never had anyone to love me like that. I never had anyone who was proud of me, who wanted to show me off to their family and friends. Neither of my parents at least. Mt Grandma and one aunt, perhaps. That only lasted so long though. Once I grew up and realized I had a brain it was all over.”
In full blown panic mode, just as I am when I am on the verge of a realization, I grabbed a tissue and let the tears fall.
“I want someone to love me like that. Someone to protect me and hold me, someone to show me off and tell me that they’re proud of me. Approval, acceptance, and unconditional love. God. I don’t ask for much do I?”
Quietly I blow my nose and lean back against the sofa. I let the tears fall freely for a moment before continuing.
“I’m so ashamed of my behavior this morning. I can’t believe that I was so envious of an eleven year old child. I wasn’t upset with him or with The Knight. I was scared and completely confused by my reaction to the situation. Now it makes sense but I can’t take it back.”
She handed me another tissue and watched me for a moment before speaking.
Counselor: You’re healing. There was a time when you wouldn’t have even acknowledged the pain this has caused you. You wouldn’t have worked through it or even known to be ashamed of your reaction. I’d venture to say that there probably was a time you didn’t even want the kind of love you have or want because you didn’t trust anyone enough to let them give it to you. Now you do and you’re remaining open to the possibilities. And even though it’s about that time for today, I want you to give some thought to doing some of the exercises we mentioned before. I think that maybe you’re ready for them and not only will it help you heal, it will show you that he does love you the way you need and want, but you have to give him an opening. So think about it and let me know.
I thought about it on the way home. I’m still thinking about it. How can I do the exercises knowing that I’ll have to explain them to him? What if he laughs and completely refuses? It’s not what I need right now. Maybe what I’m really worried about is that he would readily agree to them. Then he’ll see how deep the wounds are, how ugly the scars are that I’ve hidden for all this time. I’ll think about it, really, I will. Just not today. Enough is enough for one day.Â
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