O
My father is that guy that everyone knows. Hundreds of people can't wait to tell me what an amazing mentor and man he is. He has helped so many people and been such a good guy his whole life. Yet even into my 30s embarrassing stories of me are his best way to get a laugh. He ignores and insults me in public to get entertainment. Talking down to me is the only way he knows how to speak. He has no remorse and spent his life insulting me. I know that I cannot convince the masses what a jerk he is to me. Everyone loves him too much and usually people get angry at me when I speak my mind on the subject. I've approached him with it and he just talks down to me and tells me not to be selfish. I have moved on and don't care. I don't have the time or the energy to deal with him anymore. Problem is I can't get away from him due to issues I don't have time for. I'll never escape the masses who continuously tell me how amazing he is, which enrages me inside. It burns a fire I can't put out. It takes all of my emotional control to act differently with my children than he has my whole life. I have caught myself doing the same to them. I pray, apologize and then treat them better. But this is a burden that I carry with me and will till the day I die. I have had opportunities missed because people think I'm ungrateful to have such an amazing mentor or because I'm incompetent compared to the man. I have been successful without any help and because of my own hard work. But this pain burns inside of me. How can I be a good father to my children with no one to show me how to be better? Is there anyone out there who has ever felt like this?