Where to start....I really don't want to offend anyone....but no matter how I say this I probably will so here goes.
In the last year, I have had two friends who have lost their children, three girlfriends who have lost their fathers and other friends with loved ones lost.
I know, without doubt, that any of these people would give anything for just one more moment, one hug, one kiss, one word with them. I have seen this grief up close. Some of it was met with a sad acceptance, tears, and a gratefulness that the loved one is no longer suffering. The other was met with utter disbelief, despair, denial and a woeful mother's cry that will haunt me for the rest of my life.
I am under no illusion that we don't get mad at our loved ones. Our kids drive us crazy. Our siblings annoy us. Some people's relationship with their parents is hanging on by a thread. The same tired family drama is perpetuated over and over for years.
What has been bothering me for some time now is the willingness to express our disgust, hatred, and frustration on Social Media, telling the world all of our problems and feelings. Yes, I can admit being guilty of this to a point. I have complained about my Ex a few times on Facebook. I have joked that my kids are going to be the death of me, but I hope that I have never outright complained about them.
How do you think this feels to someone who has lost a loved one?
When you complain how terrible your kids are?
When you say your dad is a jerk or your mom gets on your last nerve?
When you say that you only have one "real" brother when you really have two and you are just being hateful?
When all you talk about is how everyone in your family mistreats you, gets on your nerves, bothers you.
I would hate for those people not to be in your life tomorrow. Would you wail, cry and lament on Facebook about how they are gone and you miss them? Would you want our sympathies for the people you were just complaining about?
The next time you want to bash someone in your family, please keep it off Facebook, Twitter and any Social media board in general. You can never fully erase hateful words once they have been said or even read by others.
I have gotten off my soapbox now, putting it away until the next time.....
