When I was five years old, my grandfather tried to beat my father with a shovel. I was there and saw everything.age_ranger wrote:I decided it was best to tell my kids about it. How do you tell a 6yr old that their uncle can't come over and that they need to stay away from him?
My grandfather had been mentally ill and an alcoholic for most of his adult life, but he had kept it together until that point. He was committed to a state mental hospital, which was the usual thing at that time (1960).
My parents told me that he had a sickness that made him act that way and he wasn't a bad person. They answered whatever questions I had (I don't remember what they were). I accepted it. It wasn't a major trauma.
You and your family have my prayers and good wishes for getting through this trial.
- Jim