Managed A Large Gathering Of Family Without Hostility Or Much Anxiety

[just me here]

Since I bought the property I live on I have known that because it is very close to where my grandfather is buried I would one day be expected to host a get together of family when grandma died and was buried alongside him. I have known for 25 years that the day was coming and it finally did.

the thought used to keep me awake at night, as recently as a year ago I was unable to imagine it being a positive experience, I imagined a very uncomfortable day filled with veiled insults between the different extreme religions and attitudes that would be here.

Last summer I finally banned my parents from my home due to their judgemental and totally unmeetable expectations of other peoples beliefs. Without them here, the rest of us had a better day than I could have possibly imagined and I am so glad I finally told them they were not welcome and so glad I have made it stick 11 months now.

It's been hard, at times I have had to endure the arguments from my siblings to recant and bring them back into my life but I have held firm and the payoff was a family reunion without the anxiety of knowing we were being judged and not meeting their expectations. It was better than I dared to imagine and like I said just a year ago I couldn't have imagined it at all.

 

[The Albatross]

Very glad that you and your family was able to have a reunion that was enjoyable. :tup:

 

[Srain]

It's never easy to begin to set boundaries with parents especially when siblings have a difficult time understanding why but you are doing it for you so WTG!! I think have done well to see how this took care of your needs and was possible to do, good on you. :)

 

[Phoenix Under]

Oh my gosh! Way to go!!!!! I think setting boundries is so very painful, at first. Thank you for sharing!!!