To my neighbors
I’m tired.
I’m tired of turning the other cheek, knowing that’s what I’m supposed to do.
I’m tired of my face cracking with a plastic smile.
I can’t anymore.
When your mouth smiles, my mind rehearses the barbs that same mouth spilled forth.
Am I supposed to forget?
At what point does kindness become hypocrisy?
When is it acceptable to say “enough?”
You will not hurt my children’s hearts.
Your children can not spread their poison without consequence.
God, I don’t want to forgive.
I don’t even want to want to forgive.
I’m done.
I will pray for the grace to forgive you.
I will not, however, make my family vulnerable to you or your children.
Ever again.
It is enough.
*hugs*
September 28th, 2007 at 6:23 amWow. I could have written that a few years ago. I don’t know what you’re going through, but it must be bad. I hope you get “through” it quickly and find peace again.
September 28th, 2007 at 7:10 amPraying for you and your family right now!!!
September 28th, 2007 at 9:38 amOh, we used to have neighbors like that! I’ll be praying for you and your family.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:11 amPraying for the grace to forgive, and the strength to hold the boundaries you’re drawing right now. You are already exhibiting such grace in not splatting the whole story onto the internet, as I probably would have! Good for you taking the high road.
September 28th, 2007 at 10:38 amThanks, ladies, for your hugs and thoughts. I really appreciate having a place to spill these kind of feelings.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:51 am[...] read Mommy Brain for long knows of our long and tortured history with our neighbors, culminating in this rant last fall. Then, on my New Year’s post, I mentioned I was grateful we had reached some sort [...]
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:54 pm