Member-only story
Even Your Loved Ones Can Try to Gaslight You When You Least Expect It
Prior to the last week, I’ve never thought much of the popular term gaslighting. To me, it seemed unreal that someone could convince you differently of very real facts and experiences related to your own life. But I’d never had that problem where someone close to me acted out in such a way to try and sucker-punch me with a whole new narrative.
This story starts innocently enough with a FaceTime call involving my uncle, his sister, and me.
My uncle has fallen back into the habit of drinking every day. It’s one of those things where I try to distance myself from him because of it. He’s not abusive or violent, but he’s old enough now that a few benders can leave him falling down all over the place when he’s had too much alcohol.
It’s a peaceful night when he just decides to go to bed, walks to his room of his own volition, and passes out there.
For more context, his sister has been one of his biggest cheerleaders when it comes to his attempts at sobriety. Encouraging words and prayers are her way of showing she loves and supports him along his bumpy journey.
What started out as a funny conversation via FaceTime went into danger territory with my uncle’s raucous and untamed laughter. Anyone who knew him well would have been able…
