Exploring the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Mormon experience through stories.
This series continues with Nathan and Jefferson’s mother Rea Walton. In this episode, pt. 3 of 3 with Rea, she discusses coming to terms with her ex-husbands homosexuality, raising her children, having a successful marriage and a blended family, watching her children leave the church and then having her own faith crisis, and finding resolution, reconciliation and peace as her marriage becomes a mixed-faith marriage.
Part 1 with Rea here
Part 2 with Rea here
Part 3:
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So very many things to say; there are absolutely no adequate words. Thank you, my forever best friend.
I really love hearing your story, mom. I was walking around in wal mart, doing my shopping, with headphones in, listening. It is strange to hear an interview about my family. It was very strange to hear you talking about me and see pictures with me. Very odd, but i do think good can come from listening to this. I hope more family members, well, more people in general , will listen to the entire series because i know so many people have experienced similar feelings of guilt and inadequacy and sorrow., whether they began in a religious setting or not. I love you so, my sweet Momma and friend. I anxiously await Dad’S interview!
I love you, Rin. We are so blessed to have each other as a family, and I am so blessed that you kids have forgiven me of the times when I was less a friend than I might have been. xoxo
I loved this gem: “When you love them, you’re going to find some answers.”
Thank you, Rea. Beautiful story and beautiful interview.
Thank you, John. I hope others will listen to your podcast as well. I learned so much from you, even though your story broke my heart. (I am better now.)
All my best.
Beautiful! You are honest~and it is heart wrenching to hear some of the experiences you went through, and that Marinne went through. Unfortunately, there are many imperfect leaders within the Church, and you are good to have forgiven them. Love you Aunt Rea Jo!
I only have the blissful memories of my childhood, looking forward to time at Grandma’s with the cousins. That side of the family has always been fun and so tolerant and unconditionally loving through my eyes. So it is neat to hear the full story of YOUR family. We all have our own struggles, and it’s nice to know and understand each other better.
Hey Rache thanks for reading and commenting. Well, truth be told, you will never know the whole story about any family, and especially mine! It’s like being the Keeper of All Family Photographs. I edit out the ugly ones! But yes, I was pretty darn honest in this podcast and only felt worried about that afterward, but it has been an outstanding experience and very cathartic for me. Love you.
Simply amazing. Thank you so much for being so open and candid about your experience. So many things I could relate to…the intense guilt and shame even as a young child…how harshly I judged myself from an early age, concealing the belief that I was never going to measure up to those I perceived to be truly good and faithful. After disentangling myself from the culture, I still have the occasional twinge of self-judgment about things that only a Mormon-raised child would have…and then I remember that I now know better
Rea, you are a bright light.. and you have been a teacher in my life. For that I am grateful. Much love.
Christine, were you already a friend of mine before you listened to the podcast? You SOUND like “my Christine.”
I wonder how many LDS women – from the time of my youth to today – grow/grew up with the same devastatingly low self-concept that you and I shared. I am sad when I hear that it was not just me… but glad when we are honest and can reach out to others.
Thanks for writing.
Mom thank you for sharing all of this. What it boils down to for me is that you are the strongest woman I know. Love you beyond explanation.
You ae a strong woman, too, Em. Do you think having a Mom who didn’t “get” you for a long time may have contributed to that? I am so thankful We Are Family (sing it, Emmie!). I love you forever.