What really made me weep....***Big Spoiler***

That slap -- everyone involved -- father, brother, sis-in-law, and most importantly, kid -- was appalled at it.

Wow. Ten years later (1969), my mother caused permanent injury to me with a shake-and-slap combo, and convinced me it was my own fault. And with far less provocation, to boot.

Yeah, she was under a lot of stress. Yes, she was most likely in a vicious depression. But what 12-year-old, non-drinking, non-everything girl possibly deserves to be beaten and emotionally abused like that? And why wasn't there anyone there to rescue me? (That one was rhetorical, obviously.)

But yes, I love and forgive her. I've never told her this condition was caused by her smacking me, and I never intend to do so. Angry some? Oh, yes. And I pray and work like crazy to get past it. I may not be conservative, but I am a Christian, and know that healing comes through forgiveness of others.

My worst, absolutely most debilitating weakness is that I can't let go of wanting her to hug me, tell me I didn't deserve that, and that I did not ruin her life. That's why I moved away from the family -- so she could pretend I don't exist, and display the 2-child "boy-for-you-girl-for-me" family she dreamed of.

Geez -- talk about maudlin. But my point is that it's interesting what people consider appropriate versus inappropriate discipline. Also, the editing of that scene & the timing were perfect -- just enough dead silence to be effective.

That's Capra.

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