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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

How to deal with abusive family after my sister’s death.

18 replies

Cluborange666 · 18/12/2023 13:06

I got a Christmas card today from my mother’s childhood friend. She’s a lovely woman, very old school, never married, Christian, ex primary school teacher, speaks only good of people…

Anyway, my sister died of a brain tumour in June. She was only 51. Her hair hadn’t even turned grey. She was abused the same as me. There are also two GC - brother who is a yes man and a sister who is a Nazi priestess in Denmark 😂 (really!) but who can do no wrong.

The sister who died had zero help from any of them. I live in a different country and am fully n/c with all the others. I visited my sister twice when she was in hospice care and we parted on good terms. I am very messed up about her life and death but that’s another story.
I wasn’t given the information that she had died or any funeral details on the orders of my father as a ‘punishment’ for not visiting them when I was over. Most people obeyed which hurts very much. It’s so unfair.

Now I’ve got a Christmas card from a well-meaning innocent old lady who thinks (inferred in her words) that I chose not to attend the funeral and that my parents are suffering so much over my sister’s death and my absence.

What do I do? Nothing? I’ve got no one to back me up anyway. I’ll never see the woman again. But it hurts so much. To be a victim and to be blamed for it too. But if I spill the beans then she won’t believe me anyway. It’s my word against a larger group who present as a normal family (my mother is excellent at playing the nice middle class lady). Only my sister who died would understand. And she’s not here. I’m sitting on my stairs with this bloody card, crying. It’s all such a mess.

Please help or tell me what to do. I have run out of steam. I present as very strong in real life so no one really knows what I’m going through. I’ve tried to hint at it but no one seems to understand.

OP posts:
DisplayPurposesOnly · 18/12/2023 13:12

Bin the card. Take time this evening to raise a toast to your sister. You were there when it counted, visiting her in the hospice.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 18/12/2023 13:27

Bin or otherwise shred the card. Do not give it any more power than its already had. The Flying monkey ie the person who sent this has their own agenda and does not have your interests at heart so their opinion should be ignored. You were there when it really mattered.

Mabelface · 18/12/2023 13:29

What others think doesn't matter. You know the truth and were there for your sister. That's what matters.

Desecratedcoconut · 18/12/2023 13:30

Return to sender?

Coffeecup123456 · 18/12/2023 14:10

I’m so sorry to read this. I’ve been in a very similar situation. Over time I’ve needed to becomes very self compassionate. Speaking very kindly to myself that I know who I am, that I know my reasons and that I trust myself. I hope too that maybe those who may judge me might having a curiosity somewhere within them that perhaps there was more to it that met the eye. And if they didn’t then they were only looking for the bad in people or gossip. In which case their opinion was not one I was going to lean into. My family members were also very convincing to others. Having someone to witness and affirm your experience is so healing and so painful to lose. I just lost mine. Please know there are many of us out there who believe you and understand 💗 Like you I’m strong, no one saw / sees the depth of pain. If you can find a therapeutic space where you will be heard and your feelings validated I’d recommend it. And turn that self loving / self compassionate voice up high. You deserve it in abundance.

BMW6 · 18/12/2023 15:48

I agree with Return to Sender.

Or just bin it.

Cluborange666 · 18/12/2023 21:49

Thank you so much for understanding. I’m sorry that you are going through something similar.

OP posts:
Cluborange666 · 18/12/2023 21:50

My last sentence was to Coffeecup123456.

OP posts:
flowerchild2000 · 18/12/2023 21:55

I can relate to this! Throw the card away, burn some sage, remind yourself why you made the choices you did and grieve in the way you deserve to. Be kind to yourself and don't ruminate on the reasons you feel like you need to defend yourself with. You know you did the right thing and you don't owe explanations to anyone. If they don't already get it they never will. It's better for you to deal with your grief as best as you can for your own health. 💐

Indifferentchickenwings · 18/12/2023 22:03

You are grieving
and you have a lot to grieve my lovely

I love the idea to bin the card , burn some sage and maybe do something to memorise your sister

Squarespotsandripples · 18/12/2023 22:08

Be kind to yourself. I'm in a very similar situation. The pain is overwhelming and the frustration at not being heard, understood or believed even when you try a little. It becomes very black and white. There are good people out here who understand and have been through similar to you.
Everyone else - ignore if you need to. They inhabit a totally different world. You can be friends with the non-understanders but don't waste your energy on them.
Raise a glass to your beloved sister, say her name every day and maybe one day truth will prevail.
There are enough of us out here for you to know you are believed. X

Notalldogs23 · 18/12/2023 22:40

I go with 'return to sender' too. She has no right to guilt you when you're grieving, so she's not really that nice.

I'm so sorry for your loss, but you got to spend time with your sister before she died, which is so much more important than going to her funeral, and trying to be civil to your abusers so they can present a picture of a grieving family.

You never have to see any of your family again, you can block them on everything and return post. Look after yourself.

Cluborange666 · 19/12/2023 08:43

Thank you for all your replies. They really help. I was very overwhelmed yesterday when I wrote this. Much thanks to you all xxx.

OP posts:
romdowa · 19/12/2023 08:46

Let's be honest this woman who sent you the card really isn't lovely is she?
I'm not the nicest person in the world but even I wouldn't dream of sending such a card. She's just another person wearing a nice suit.

Seaoftroubles · 19/12/2023 09:24

She wasn't a nice person OP, or she wouldn't have sent such a judgemental card. l understand how it could shake you though. You've had some lovely responses on here from people who really understand. I agree, burn the card or return to sender and block the rest of your family. Then as a pp suggested buy something meaningful in remembrance of your sister, and keep her memory in your heart. Your sister knew the truth and that's what really matters. Be especially kind to yourself and honour your grief for the loss of your sister in your own way. Maybe some counselling would help when you feel ready.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 19/12/2023 09:36

Returning the card is a response and that will be further relayed by this flying monkey back to your parents. Radio silence from you therefore should be maintained. Remember too that this flying monkey is NOT on your side nor has your best interests at heart.

MmedeGouge · 19/12/2023 09:40

AttilaTheMeerkat · 18/12/2023 13:27

Bin or otherwise shred the card. Do not give it any more power than its already had. The Flying monkey ie the person who sent this has their own agenda and does not have your interests at heart so their opinion should be ignored. You were there when it really mattered.

Very good advice.

Rocksonabeach · 19/12/2023 09:41

Desecratedcoconut · 18/12/2023 13:30

Return to sender?

Return to sender - occupant has moved - not known at this address

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