Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale
Have ever wanted to say things to your mother, or a loved one, but didn’t have the courage to do so? Well, you're not alone.
Hey there, I'm Susan Gibson, and I'm thrilled to welcome you to my podcast, "Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale." In this deeply personal podcast, I invite you to join me on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery and healing. Over the span of more than five decades, I walked the path of finding forgiveness with my mother, a journey that led me to profound insights about the complexities of family relationships. Together, we'll unravel the intricate threads that compose the tapestry of our lives.
"Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale" is not just a podcast; it's a safe space for exploration. Picture this: family stories are a blend of reality and imagination, much like the enchanting tales from Disney with singing animals, and dancing broomsticks. Other versions are more Brothers Grimm, where crones cast wicked spells with dire consequences. Every family narrative is a unique blend of heroes and villains, moments of triumph and challenges.
Join me as we navigate the depths of our own stories, summoning the bravery to ask the tough questions and confront the shadows that lie beneath the surface. Together, we'll journey through hidden family secrets, bridging the gaps in our understanding, all while exploring the intricate dance between my mother and me. As we peel back the layers, you might just find revelations about yourself and your loved ones that you never knew existed.
Above all, this podcast is a beacon of hope for finding forgiveness. Together, we'll explore the inner recesses of our hearts and minds, paving the way for understanding, empathy, and ultimately, forgiveness. So, let's embark on this transformative adventure—toward healing, reconciliation, and the power to heal our own hearts.
Tune in to "Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale" and discover the magic of self-discovery, relationship exploration, and the profound journey to forgiveness.
Episode 1:
Welcome to the premiere episode of "Finding Forgiveness - A Family Fairy Tale." I’m your host, Susan Gibson, and I'm thrilled to have you as my guest today. We've all experienced those moments of longing to express our unspoken thoughts to loved ones who are no longer with us. The chance to do so isn't out of reach. You can put your thoughts into words by penning a heartfelt letter. I did that and am eager to share my letter with my dear mother.
Episode 2:
On this episode of Finding Forgiveness, I’ll recount the last month and shared moments with my mother. Even when you are aware of a loved one's critical illness, you are never truly prepared for their passing. Nevertheless, I am thankful that my last exchange with my mother was the one I had yearned for throughout five decades. Following her passing, I am left with that invaluable conversation, the apology I had long awaited, and the forgiveness I extended, enabling me to embark on my journey forward.
Episode 3:
In this episode of Finding Forgiveness, I will share things I gained from my mother, whose wisdom was even greater than I imagined as a child. Even now, I incorporate the lessons I acquired from her into my daily routine. Whenever I engage in a seemingly ordinary act like returning an item to its rightful place, it evokes memories of my mother and brings a smile to my face. I hope you also can draw valuable life lessons from my mother's wisdom.
In this episode of Finding Forgiveness, I will recount my early years, focusing on the passing of my infant brother and its impact on my connection with my mother. The intricate dynamics of a family often reveal themselves gradually, and I've discovered this to be accurate in comprehending my bond with my mother. Today, I will share what I learned while meditating and revisiting my infancy. If you are struggling with a family relationship, I hope my story leads you on a journey of fulfillment within your family.
Today, I will recount the events that unfolded when my parents decided to separate. At the age of 13, I had to choose which parent I wished to reside with when I learned my parents were separating. Opting for my father led to a growing divide between my mother and me. Reflecting on my mother's choice, I consider it a courageous move. Going against her mother's expectations and the moral values of our close-knit community to divorce my father required a remarkable display of bravery. Listen in as I share the events that continued to pull my mother and me apart.
Today, I will share how I bounced from home to home in high school and one of my biggest disappointments when my mother didn’t come to my graduation. I understand it is not uncommon for a high-school student to live with a friend while completing their senior year. I know it happens for a good reason. What is not common is for your mother to disown you during this time, and as an adult, some 32 years later, you still don’t have the answer to why that happened. Listen in as I share the events that continued to pull my mother and me apart.
Today, I will share how my mother and I reconnected after our six year long estrangement. I don’t call it reconciliation because, as you will hear, we didn’t reconcile anything. My story still leaves questions in my mind as to what happened between us. Through therapy and diving deep into my thoughts and feelings, perhaps the answer is accepting there is no answer. Join me in hearing about how I crossed the bridge to forgiveness.
Today, I reflect on the twenty-six years I spent with my mother after we reconnected. After six years of estrangement, I decided to reconnect with my mother. I'll share that at first, I hoped to restore our relationship from before our estrangement, but over time, I realized that we needed to redefine our relationship. Making commitments to one another, my mother and I spent the next twenty-six years spending time together, traveling together, having difficult conversations, and having fun together. Tune in to hear me reflect on these difficult, yet beautiful years as my mother and I embarked on this new adventure.
Today, I will reveal the three personal things she shared with my mother in 2012 and delve deeply into the profound act of forgiveness. I’ll recount my mother's response upon learning she was forgiven and share the emotions she underwent, illustrating how those three simple words transformed the dynamics of our relationship. Forgiveness can take various forms; I opted for a face-to-face approach, but it can also occur privately within oneself. Regardless of the method chosen, the outcome remains the same—feelings of lightness emerge, and any lingering fear or resentment dissipates. Don’t miss this uplifting episode of Finding Forgiveness - a Family Fairy Tale.
Today, I recount my mother's journey from birth to high school. Raised in a rural part of Maine, my mother was familiar with the challenges of hard work during her upbringing, yet she cherished moments of taking the train to the next town to watch movies with her sister. However, an undisclosed event occurred during high school, remaining a family secret. I believe this experience significantly influenced the dynamic between her and her mother, leaving lasting wounds. While sharing and recalling such traumas is challenging, it is essential for the healing process. If you've experienced childhood trauma, my story may resonate with you.
Today, I explore the challenge of maintaining family secrets. This episode may be unsettling to some listeners accustomed to abiding by their family's unwritten rule of silence. What happens when you feel obligated to keep a secret or choose to do so independently due to various factors like fear, embarrassment, or a desire for privacy? The weight of that pressure, that unwritten code of silence, can significantly impact your life in ways you might not fully grasp. It can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression and, in extreme cases, even lead to suicide. If you or someone you know requires assistance, dial 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Support is available around the clock, regardless of the nature of the crisis. Tune in as I openly share her experiences with the code of silence prevalent in my family.
Today, I embark on a powerful exploration of forgiveness, revealing the four key characteristics that bridged the gap between me and my mother: fear, courage, strength and love. Today’s focus delves into emotional inheritance, where I discover these shared traits woven into the fabric of our relationship. Through compelling personal anecdotes, I’ll draw parallels between my experiences and my mother’s, offering insights into how you can identify these same characteristics within yourself. Prepare to be surprised as I unveil a hidden truth about my mother’s long-standing relationship with her second husband. Join me as I continue to shed light on my family’s intimate story, offering valuable lessons on forgiveness and the impact of emotional inheritance.
For 25 years, my marriage demanded a strong, capable presence. I was the provider, the organizer, the one who shouldered responsibility. This strength, this "masculine energy," permeated everything – my choices, style, and even my haircut. I wasn't aware of it, but masculinity became my identity. Then came the divorce. My new partner surprised me with a gentle smile by saying “let me be the man.” It was a wake-up call. Join me as I explore how I rediscovered my feminine side – a quality that can be surprisingly easy to lose sight of. My story is of strength, self-discovery, and reclaiming the grace that makes me, well, me.
Have I ever experienced moments of solitude? Absolutely. Society often pushes self-sufficiency, but on life's journey, strong allies are irreplaceable. Looking back on my path to grade school, I'm filled with gratitude for the incredible allies who've shaped who I am. A faithful ally listens without judgment, offers unwavering support and encouragement, and stands beside you through thick and thin. Join me as I share the inspiring list of allies who've profoundly impacted my life.
This episode contains reflection of child abuse and domestic violence. Listen with care.
Join me as I open up about three pivotal moments throughout my life where I faced daunting challenges in the form of ogres. These encounters left me fearful and scarred, but through therapy and self-discovery, I found the strength to confront and overcome them. From betrayal to manipulation, each ogre represents a unique struggle that shaped my journey toward healing and understanding. Tune in to discover how therapy became my beacon of hope, guiding me toward resilience and empowerment.
Have you ever felt like you took the blame for someone else's actions? Maybe you've been in a situation with a difficult person, an "ogre," as we'll call them here, who caused turmoil in your life. It's natural to wonder if you could have done something differently, but the truth is, you can't change other people. The good news? You can change how you view yourself in the situation. This episode is about the power of self-forgiveness. We'll explore why letting go of blame and embracing self-compassion is essential. We'll also learn practical techniques to help you forgive yourself and move forward. So ditch the self-criticism and get ready for a healthy dose of self-love. We’ll even discover the magic of a good self-hug!
