This is the email I sent to my wife yesterday, trying to
explain my behaviour when she refused my help twice in the morning when
she was trying to do a quick repair on a child's shoe.
"I'm
sorry my frustration boiled over a little this morning. You're right.
You not taking an elastic band is nothing to get upset about.
Its other things that are piling up, things that are concerning me more every day.
Since the Aspie question was raised, I feel that you have been looking
at me in a different way, and I'm not really comfortable with it. I
always seem to be in your way, or interrupting you, or feel like I am
interfering in something where you would rather I didn't.
I feel sad that trying to hug you elicits no reaction any more. I feel
that when I kiss you, you seem relieved when the moment passes. Maybe
all of this is my imagination, but it doesn't feel like it is.
I don't feel like you are viewing me as a partner any more. I feel like
I am being seen as another child to be "dealt with", a burden to be
borne and a problem to be handled.
And it frustrates me and makes me sad.
the elastic band thing was just another little thing on top of a pile
of neuroses I have at the moment. It just felt like yet another way
where I was just getting in the way, especially after my other suggestion
had just been dismissed when i was trying to help you avoid having to
stand holding a shoe for 5-10 mins.
And in the long run my
worry is that we won't get past this, that "living with 3 disabled
people" is going to be too much for you to handle.
To
my eyes it already is, and I wonder whether you're trying to figure out
how to do it and keep sane, or figure out if you could deal with the
girls without me.
Honestly, I have days where I think you
would be better off without me as I would be 1 less person you feel you
have to take care of, but then I don't know how you would deal with
the girls on your own.
I certainly wouldn't blame you if you said "too much".
I know that this has been hard for you, and will continue to be, but
the thing that is hardest for me in all of this is not the stress of the
summer, not the AS, not the reflection on my whole life, but its facing
you every day and feeling I am less in your eyes."
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