Misunderstood? Educating my Parents on the New Version of Me

Being misunderstood by people whose opinions you value is absolutely the most painful. — Gloria Steinem

They say home is where the heart is, but my heart is guarded with me. My soul is protected. Hidden from the people I love the most and deem the most important.

What created the fictitious barrier between my heart and my home, you may ask? Idk. Maybe it’s the expectation that my parents understand me given my origins. The assumption that they won’t accept my newly evolved state. Or the fear that they aren’t willing to learn the new version of their son?

The Rising Action

My Grandfather’s Sister’s Funeral:

I was at the repass sitting at a table with my mom and her 9 brothers and sisters when one of my older cousins who I hadn’t seen in a few years, came over. After greeting the table, he proceeded to acknowledge my writing skills in front of the entire group.

In his American Liberian accent, he says “He writes well! And he drops knowledge!” Some of my family, agreeing as they’ve seen the articles I’ve published on Linkedin. And others saying, Nathan, you have a blog? You write?