Final act of removing myself from family?

[ewok737]

My father passed away 11Nov09 . My mother sent me a thick package of documents and pictures of my father shortly afterwards. For the first 25 years or so, he was an abusive alcoholic. Mother not a whole lot better. I put the paperwork package in my gun safe never opened it. Today I removed the package, still unopened, put it on the gas grill and soaked it with lighter fluid and set it on fire. I felt closure as it stopped burning.

[Oliverlogan263]

Whoa, that's a really heavy thing to go through. Losing a parent, especially one who was abusive and troubled, can be so complex and draining. I'm sorry you had to deal with that trauma and dysfunction growing up.

Burning those documents and photos, even without opening them, seems like a powerful way to find some closure. Watching that package go up in flames must have felt like a symbolic way to let go of that painful part of your past. It makes total sense that you would want that separation, especially if those materials were just a painful reminder.

While it's a rather intense act, I can understand why you felt the need to do it. Sometimes you just gotta take those final steps to fully remove yourself from a toxic situation or family dynamic. If keeping those documents was only causing you more hurt, then destroying them was probably the right call for your own healing and wellbeing.

You've clearly been through a lot, but the fact that you're able to recognize what you need for closure is a sign of real strength. Don't be too hard on yourself for needing to take that drastic action. Do what you gotta do to take care of yourself, man. Wishing you all the best moving forward.

[Fanfare690]

Awh man...

[Anonymous]

You sound like a douche