For seven years, he said yes, and for seven years, he never came.
I wanted to jump in here real quickly and get some things in about the upcoming holidays, because I know it’s not a great time for everyone, particularly when we’re talking about fatherlessness and absent fathers and things like that. So I wanted to share some things with you.
By the way, this is one of my favorite cups: “I’m willing to do the work to be whole.” Because that’s where the key is. We’ve got to be willing to do the work.
As most of you know, I’m Olivia S. Benson, author of this lovely book, For the Love of My Father, which is available on Amazon. And so today I want to share a little bit with you about my experiences around the holidays. And even though they were pretty sad, ultimately I was able to heal from those negative experiences, sad experiences, and now the holidays are just fine. And if it’s possible for me, for sure it’s possible for you.
My father promised year after year
So I want you to know that in the book, there’s a story. My father promised year after year that he would come to dinner for Christmas. And my mother would send me to go ask him if he’s coming. And every year he would say yes. For seven years, he said yes, that I can remember.
I was old enough at that point where I would go and ask him and he would say, yes, I’m coming. And I’m shortening the story, but the essence of it is that he would say yes, and for seven years, he never came.
It’s the 12 days to Christmas, so I still have time
And for seven years, my mother would say, well, go ask him why he didn’t come. And for seven years, my father said, well, it’s the 12 days to Christmas, so I still have time. And for seven years, he never came any of the 12 days.