Familienbande

“It was a dream that vividly depicted the conflict with my parents. I was visiting them in Poland. My father was the first to give up on me; he retreated into his usual defensive mode, acting as if he were indifferent to everything. My friends were visiting, and we were in my room (the one with the curtain). My mother tried to join the gathering, but when she came in and refused to leave, I forcibly pushed her out. While talking to my friends, I realized she was sitting right behind the curtain, as she kept loudly repeating the sentences or words I was exchanging with them. My friends felt sorry for me and suggested I stay the night at their place, but it turned out that wasn’t possible that particular night. I was supposed to head to the airport the next day, but the thought of spending another night there was unbearable. Another person appeared in the dream, too—my uncle (though he was only my uncle within the dream). My parents wanted me to spend time with him. He got very close to me—too close—and I wanted nothing to do with him. Naturally, my parents were disappointed that I was ignoring even my uncle.”