(PS I work in spiritual care & it was not awkward or inappropriate to disclose this much info, though I might not say the same if it had gone further. Pls don’t come at me ✌️)

So fucking validating. Not a whiff of “but what are your symptoms” or “have you been diagnosed though” or “well what about the other people there.” I said I had trauma, he believed me. We didn’t dwell on it.

I think I need to start trusting people more & maybe not expect them to be shitty.

Last week, my boss & I were talking fireworks + dogs. I said my dog doesn’t have an issue but I do. Boss asked if I was a combat vet. I said no, but I have other trauma related to gunshots. He nodded & the convo moved on. Not rudely. But. In a moment where telling my story feels selfish, it was…

Unfortunately, when I witnessed this today, I was too far away to do anything. The parent didn’t do anything, either. But I will be finding whom to speak to about it.

(Edit to add that “she’s also a poet” was quickly pivoting the conversation to be about something he IS proud of me about, not excitedly adding on cool things about a female G-d.)

tldr: I’m preaching from a pulpit from the first time about something I care about & I’m proud enough of myself that my parents don’t have to be. I’ve seen this reaction since the day I was accepted into seminary; I shouldn’t be so disappointed. There are a million scarier, more important things rn.

Now, I love him & know neurodivergence plays its part in moments like these. He feels awkward & doesn’t know what to say. But that wouldn’t be such a problem if he thought women belonged behind pulpits. I’m glad he’s proud that I’m a published author. But poetry is a much more “suitable” “pastime.”