False Impressions

Meeting your parents was an experience.
Familiar in the way that all
"Christian" parents are.
(Appearances,
Shaking hands, introductions,
Family dinner,
And polite questions...)
But very different-- off-putting
Because there's so much below the surface
(Even more than you've let on, I'm sure.)
And that turns
Well-intentioned niceties
Into plain deception and arrogance.
The fact that they ignored
Your pleas,
Your cries for help...
(Relating it back to the fact that your brother turned out just fine [without any of that] therefore you don't need anything more...)
Even now you come to them
Hoping they would see how much you're hurting
Begging for the help you feel you need
And all they say is:
"No."
That's unacceptable.
I think that's the most
Demeaning, insulting, hurtful, and disappointing thing
I can imagine.
To turn away with
A shake of their heads
A hand on your shoulder
Telling you all you need to do is
Try a little bit harder
Because they know which way to stear you.
(Better than you, your friends, your therapist...)
Well,
That's a lie.
Only you can choose your path.
You have the advantage because
You know yourself, better than anyone.
I just want to make sure
You understand a few things:
1.You can do whatever you feel is the best thing for you to live a happy and successful and meaningful life.
2. Your parents love you (even though they don't know how to show you that.)
3. They do not represent Christianity (and...)
4. We will do whatever it takes to back you up.