Better the hard truth, I say, than the comforting fantasy. Carl Sagan, American astronomer
I recently had the opportunity to talk with a honest, straight forward, 60-something daughter whose mother has dementia. She said her mother is belligerent, sharp-tongued, even mean at times. I asked her if this behavior is the result of the dementia. “No,” she replied, “she’s always been like that.”
Not all mothers, dead or alive, were/are sweet, loving, caring people. It is just fantasy, as Sagan says, to believe so. Sometimes when people die they become “saints” in our memories. Hiding or denying real experiences and feelings slows recovery and keeps us from being our authentic selves.
Affirmation: I am a gentle truth teller.
Coaching questions: Is there some truth telling you need to do about someone in your life? How can you move towards being truthful with yourself?
Life after losing a mother 