Dear Mum,
When I was 8 you told me mixed race relationships were acceptable, but you didn't think they were ok, because the people would inherently be too different. And their lives would be too difficult.
When I was 14 you told me you liked David Bowie until he "said he was a bisexual" then you didn't like him anymore.
In the two conversations we've had in the last two days I've revealed to you that I have a girlfriend, and that she's black.
You quietly hated my last girlfriend. I always assumed it was because she was my *girl*friend. Perhaps it was, partly. Tonight I learned you can overcome al of those ideas. You're happy for me, really happy for me.
Thank you. I know I wasn't any of the things you expected from a daughter. I know I'm not like anyone else in the family, I never have been. I'm wilful, and argumentative, and opinionated, and stubborn. Actually, stubborn is genetic. But I'm the first girl on either side of the family to run at life like this. You've been forced to change your opinions on a lot of things because of me. And you're 60, how many 60 year olds find themselves being made into liberals? I'm so proud you were able to adjust to me, given I sure as hell wasn't going to adjust to your ideas about the world
Thank you for being happy for me
Your daughter.
When I was 8 you told me mixed race relationships were acceptable, but you didn't think they were ok, because the people would inherently be too different. And their lives would be too difficult.
When I was 14 you told me you liked David Bowie until he "said he was a bisexual" then you didn't like him anymore.
In the two conversations we've had in the last two days I've revealed to you that I have a girlfriend, and that she's black.
You quietly hated my last girlfriend. I always assumed it was because she was my *girl*friend. Perhaps it was, partly. Tonight I learned you can overcome al of those ideas. You're happy for me, really happy for me.
Thank you. I know I wasn't any of the things you expected from a daughter. I know I'm not like anyone else in the family, I never have been. I'm wilful, and argumentative, and opinionated, and stubborn. Actually, stubborn is genetic. But I'm the first girl on either side of the family to run at life like this. You've been forced to change your opinions on a lot of things because of me. And you're 60, how many 60 year olds find themselves being made into liberals? I'm so proud you were able to adjust to me, given I sure as hell wasn't going to adjust to your ideas about the world
Thank you for being happy for me
Your daughter.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-03 11:04 pm (UTC)It also makes me wonder if my family could change their ideas about the world.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-04 08:42 pm (UTC)Really pleased for you.
btw your girlfriend is beautiful :)
(no subject)
Date: 2010-02-05 09:20 pm (UTC)