We welcomed her, and the visit worked wonders. Now, in this season of hope and miracles, Joyce and I are pausing to reflect on how our lives have been immeasurably enriched in the last year by repairing family ties that had seemed permanently frayed. We've felt the power of reconnecting, of making peace, of reclaiming the good parts of the past. Reconciliation is the greatest gift estranged family members can give one another. And there's no better time of year to try than now.
Families break apart for all sorts of reasons.
Sadly, being gay can trigger rejection, but then so can marrying someone your mother dislikes or not going into the family business. After coming out, Joyce was totally accepted by her parents but not by her sisters. You don't reconcile by pretending nothing ever went wrong between you. You say, I want to be reconciled. I will love you just as you are.