Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Dear Bristol

Honey, I hope you know, by now, that it wasn't about who hated who or who liked who but who was the best dancer and Sweetie, it wasn't you. But you tried and you worked hard and I admire the effort you put into it. Please don't take this loss politically or personally. I know little about the process that got you on that show, but you went out and did your bit for whatever reason and that is enough. I do question whether or not a reality dancing contest was the proper place to make a political statement.

Now, let me pass something on to you. I don't hate you and I don't hate your mother. I don't like her politics or her social views and I think the worst thing that could possibly happen to our country would be to have her in a position of national power. I am hoping that the rest of the voters in the country feel the same way. But I don't know her so how can I hate her? What I hate is what she espouses and the lack of respect she has shown to our current commander in chief. I hate her politics and her encouragement of the dangerous fringe elements.

Now, there IS something I like about her and you should know about this. I like the fact that she supported you when you were pregnant and when you became a mother. I like the fact that she didn't hide you away, push you to surrender your baby for adoption and was a mama bear when people tried to criticize or judge you. I guess I kinda wish my own mother had been like yours. Never once did she behave as if she were ashamed of you or angry with you...at least in public and I hope she was that way with you, privately, as well.

So, please understand that I will fight with all my might to keep your mother out of national office, but I can understand why you love her. Do your thing, Kiddo, and remember that politics is a nasty business. You either roll with the punches or you distance yourself. Maybe you need to give yourself a few more years of experience before you talk about hate and haters. Some of us Natural Mothers from our era have first-hand experience with the real deal. We were really given a hard time when we became pregnant after loving, not wisely, but too well. Oh, and you are well rid of that pretty boy with the ego.

We mothers of adoption loss know how fortunate you are to have your child with you. For many of us, we never even knew where our children went or what became of them until years later. We missed out on all the milestones that our children passed through. You will get to see Tripp's first bike ride, his first day in school, birthdays, Christmases and summer vacations. You are blessed, because your parents helped you realize that of which so many of us could only dream.

No, I don't like your mother's politics. But I give her points on mothering.

Have a Good Life,
Another Mother

10 comments:

J. Marie Jameson said...

Nice post. I like it.

Chris said...

I don't think anyone hated Bristol, I know I sure didn't. There is nothing to hate about Bristol. She is a young single mom, doing her best with her precious baby boy. I'm sure she is a great mother to her child, but a dancer...nah...I don't think so. I don't hate her Mama either..her Mama just grates my last nerve.

Robin said...

I know, Chris, and it bothered me a bit when she said, in interviews on the show, that she was going to show "all those haters" and "all the one who hate me and my mother." That could have only come from her mother. The guy who shot out his TV was just frustrated that it was turning into a political struggle rather than a dance contest. Plus, like someone else noted, he was channeling Elvis.

Real Daughter said...

Excellent post, Robin!

Robin said...

I do not like Sarah Palin's politics either. However, I really do admire how she and the whole family stood by Bristol and that they are supporting Bristol in raising her own baby.
Unfortunately, I do believe Ms. Palin is pro-adoption as she I know she is opposed to abortion.

Robin said...

That is unfortunate, Robin. It is amusing to me, though, that she supports it yet helped her daughter keep. Say one thing, do another? Hmmm...typical politician.

Robin said...

The other irony is that while the family is pro-adoption, Tripp could not have a more loving mother than Bristol or a more supportive family than the Palins. Don't see why they don't get it.

Lori said...

Just and FYI - Palin did indeed hide her daughter away - just at home and not in a home. She even went so far as to "play pregnant" for the constituents....there are numerous documented incidences of this and some on film and in the media. As far as her daughter, I am sooo glad she kept the baby and wish her the very best.

ms. marginalia said...

Beautifully written, Robin.

Lorraine Dusky said...

My feelings exactly. I watched the show and knew Bristol should go, but the fact that she kept her baby was...always a plus. I'm sorry she thinks people hate her, as she said on the show.

an avowed anti-gun,pro-abortion,enviromentalist progressive/liberal...
lorraine