Sunday 11 January 2009

Misery Guts.

In my teens (and even before then) I was always an optimist. Always considered every angle and always looked on the bright side of things wherever possible.
 
As I grew up, and the world enveloped me, my cynical side began to grow to the point it is at today - "Grumpy Old Man!" Negative thoughts abound on the state of the world, how different it is now to how things 'used to be', how much better things are today in terms of technology - but how that negatively impacts on things like schooling and social development - the list can go on and on.  I wear my grumpy old man label with pride at times and yet, occasionally, my more relaxed and open minded younger self will rear his head and try to counter the negativity. It is a welcome break and I enjoy seeing my old self every now and then.
 
But, there is one person in my life who positively exudes negativity - and as far as I can see always has. I'm talking about my Mother in Law - I call her "the Portender of Doom!"
 
The PoD is my wife's mother and she loves her dearly - but I can see how Lesley has been strongly influenced by the negativity of her mother over the years. I myself have been affected by her in the twenty or so years I've known her - to the point of depression.
 
A typical conversation with her goes like this:
 
Me: "Hello, isn't it a lovely day?"
PoD: "They've got snow in Cumbria. It's heading this way."
Me: "Well it's not here yet, lets enjoy the sunshine, catch some rays."
PoD: "It was on the telly about all the skin cancer. It's rife."
Me: "Pass me that razor blade, would you!"
 
Lesley suffers so badly with anxiety and panic attacks and we've been looking for a cause - her father's death when she was eleven? Being bullied at school? Well, yes, to an extent, but since these events she has lived with her mother and all the doom and gloom that seems to emanate from her - it's no wonder she's anxious. Even now, married for fifteen years and with a young daughter of her own, she is dominated to the point of being scared of her mother.
 
It's a very true story in a lot of households up and down the country - 'your parents screw you up!"  My own Mother domineered me to the point of physically abusing me. She was a bully, still is no doubt but thankfully I broke free when I was sixteen - with my mother's blessing I might add. Unfortunately Lesley did not, and has not yet.  What gets all of us, as offspring of crazy people, is that they often quote the biblical saying that you must "honour thy father and mother." and we try so hard to live up to this edict, that we end up being miserable old gits and hating them for it.

8 comments:

Pat said...

Hi, Gary. I felt very sad when I read your post, but can identify with the "having grown up with a negative parent" syndrome. I have fought/fight very hard to overcome this, and have pretty much succeeded. I now avoid negative people inasfar as I can.

® ♫ The Brit ♪ ® said...

Hi Gary,
I was extremely lucky as I was raised by two very positive thinking parents, they were almost bohemian and it was a wonderful childhood.
However my partners family are crazy and negative and try to be controlling, which has never worked with him. Hell, they even tried to control me until I told them where to go and haven't spoken to them since.
I agree that one should respect their elders but when it comes to being bullied, controlled and hearing bad things about everyone else I really can't hold any respect for those kind of people and they're not worth being in my life.
All the best and have a great Sunday, sans PoD!!
Donnie

Expat mum said...

It's definitely a northern thing (not sure where your wife grew up). Even tho' people can be cheery, there's a self deprecation that won't allow them to get too sure of themselves, so every positive comment has to be countered with a "yes, but". I have fought long and hard as an adult not to fall into this trap.
Thanks for popping over BTW.

Tim Atkinson said...

Forget marmite - the world divides into PoD's and others. The problem for the latter is resisting the conversion tactics of the former!

Liz Hinds said...

My duaghter's mother-in-law is very much like that and I can see signs of it in Daughter's husband too. I always try to counteract with a positive when he is negative but it's hard whn peopoe have ben brought up like that.

I suffered with anxiety to the extent that it was ruining my life. I was permanently depressed. I tried counselling and therapy but finally the doctor put me on seroxat and it has changed my life.

Anonymous said...

It is terribly sad to have realised that your parents could be the possible cause for depression in your life. But it is now your life for you to live as you are able. I think there is a time to break free. A time that only you can realise.

Take care
CJ xx

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Came across your blog by chance and will be back. Hope you visit my blog. Spend a lot of time in the Dales. Note the name I write under. Some, but only some say very apt!

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