So, a couple days ago, I sent my immediate family (all active LDS) a lengthy letter via email and just let loose all my feelings about what has transpired within the church, and also came clean with them that I no longer believe. I didn't attack them, or accuse them or anything like that but the dam kind of broke and it all flooded out.

So far, I have only received a response from my little brother, who is getting his masters degree over in England right now. His response was better than I ever could have hoped for. It was kind, accepting, non-judgmental. In a nutshell he said although we have different ideas, he loves me no matter what, and never wants the differences to affect our relationship. He says he has always known about my issues with the church and has never even thought twice about judging me or anything of the sort.

So yeah, I'm a big ball of emotion right now.

brother has the cojones enough to love you more than he fears the church. I'll send good thoughts/prayers that the rest of your family is as understanding. (((BIG HUG)))

It must be a terrific relief to get it all out in the open.

Unconditional love, acceptance, regardless of ideas, beliefs -- the ultimate in humanity!

Virtual hug being sent your way.

Whenever I read your posts, this tune jumps into my head:

If Six was Nine

(Yeah, sing a song bro'...)
If the sun refused to shine
I don't mind, I don't mind
(Yeah)
If the mountains ah, fell in the sea
Let it be, it ain't me.
(Well, all right)

Got my own world to live through and uh, ha !
And I ain't gonna copy you.

Yeah (sing the song brother...)
Now if uh, six uh, huh, turned out to be nine
Oh I don't mind, I don't mind uh ( Well all right... )
If all the hippies cut off all their hair
Oh I don't care, oh I don't care.
Dig.

'Cause I've got my own world to live through and uh, huh
And I ain't gonna copy you.

White collar conservatives flashin' down the street
Pointin' their plastic finger at me, ha !
They're hopin' soon my kind will drop and die but uh
I'm gonna wave my freak flag high, high !
Oww !

Wave on, wave on...

Ah, ha, ha
Fall mountains, just don't fall on me
Go ahead on mister business man, you can't dress like me
Yeah !

Don't nobody know what I'm talkin' about
I've got my own life to live
I'm the one that's gonna die when it's time for me to die
So let me live my life the way I want to
Yeah, sing on brother, play on drummer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm59phQVMaA

Jimi called it his contribution to the blues. Like yourself, it is, indeed, a most unique and wonderful gift to the world, in general, and art, in particular.

Thanks for just being you, Mikey!

Timothy



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/13/2010 01:11PM by Timothy.

My family has been very supportive. I make number four of six kids to leave so far. My other sibs had a decade head start. My mom is struggling with it, but my one sister who has been the most Molly Mormon her whole life has been very open minded and supportive. I consider myself lucky that my family is so awesome and that my parents quietly led progressive lives with us. I hope your whole family stays supportive. Family is more important than any other institution in my book, which makes it all the more sad when they fail. Hang in there.