Things I like about being Catholic. (Main Forum)

by Sandra , Monday, July 23, 2012, 22:17 (303 days ago) @ curlie que

Enda, thanks for this brilliant string. SO much to think about! Much appreciated and your own honesty also.

If we can name the dysfunctional aspects of our family of origin, it is amazing how helpful a good counsellor can be. It was pointed out to me how my parents, because of their particular families growing up, were adult children. They did not know how to parent as my mother was an orphan and dad's parents constantly moved with rent difficulties etc. Having this all put into perspective by an intuitive counsellor helped me immensly. My sister and I were dolls really. They dressed and fed us but did not know how to help us grow into mature adults because they were not at that point themselves. So my childhood was quiet, very quiet. No noise, no encouragement to do anything in life other than a secure government job and keep it till retirement 50 years later. My sister conformed fairly well but I broke out and went off to PNG.

My sister and I both fit the description of codependancy on the church - it was the most exciting thing in our lives for all our growing up years. Bells, smells, novenas, processions with kissing rose petals to throw on the floor for the priest to process over with the blessed sacrament was HUGE excitement for us. The only excitement in fact.

Your post is very enlightening thanks Enda in helping me understand even more fully my own dysfunctional hangups!

Thank you, Sandra