farfaraway

"unconditional love"... does not compute. I'm not sure if I could ever really love UN-conditionally.

I remember once in a psychology elective class in high school "unconditional love" was a class topic one day. I was the only one in the class who cogently argued that parents can and do love conditionally, and that they absolutely could stop loving a kid if that kid screwed up too much. I even provided some real life examples. I think I was 15. It hadn't occurred to me yet at that point that it's the parents who love with conditions who are screwed up! The teacher REALLY should have written a letter home or called my parents, but didn't.

I have no children and I'm afraid that if I did, I wouldn't be able to love them unconditionally. I don't know how.

CentralOhioDad

Pets are the only living things I know of that have loved me unconditionally. My Mother came pretty darn close though. God Bless her.

Titanic

Manipulating those who are closest to you usually works until they start working that annoying Al-Anon program.

Chris1000101

It is once in a blue moon that I’ll slip and share something I normally wouldn’t. So many can’t relate that it is usually ignored and no one thinks anything of it. It surprised me that you labeled it for what it was. In all my years, you are the second person to do so.


No photos of sis or I from way back when. I can remember a school project, third grade in the early 70s, we all had to bring in a photo (prior to age two/three). Teach asked me why I did not have a photo. I said we had none. Just like everyone else in my life had done, she accused me of lying to her and said everyone has photos. I don’t remember everything the old bitty said but I do know I didn’t care for school as it was and all she did was add to my list of reasons to hate it.

For some, things have changed over the years. Sadly, for many - kids lie - kids are too young to understand the truth - parents would never do such things . . .

Titanic

You brought tears to my eyes Chris1000101. I truly value your sentiments and totally empathize with you on this.

Thank you.