J-- OK, you had a downer of a few days, I see. Yep, you are old school at DBing, seems like. My mom was the stand-offish one. Dad was old school Italian, but wore his heart on his sleeve and was LOUD. Mom was Irish Catholic, but they acted more like the stereotypical English. You don't talk feelings or air the dirty laundry. But that side was also full of alcoholism. Both of them have passes away; wish my Dad had gotten to meet my kids, though. He would have been the best grandparent of them all (and H's parents are VERY good/kind).
Amazing how some generalizations work out, huh?
Anyway, glad to hear that you got over to your parents. It sounds like it was as much for you as for them, since it's been so long. Also could explain your Dad's standoffish behavior. I wonder if either of them had a clue as to what they really wanted to say / express, when they haven't had the practice. *** I'm not sure of your H's tone, but it actually seemed ok that he went out of his way to call and speak with the kids. Maybe D's hurting finally sunk in, and he was focused on that instead of himself / denial of hurting them for a change. Even if not, it may help with the Act As If...
