As parents age, the children become the parents. This reversal of authority is emotionally devastating. An adult child having to take the car keys away from a proud father, or a daughter having to bathe a mother who once bathed her—these scenes carry the weight of mortality itself.
"You borrowed my sweater without asking." High-stakes drama: "You told me Dad loved me before he died, but I just found the letter where he said he wished I was never born." genie morman incest family 272 2021
The long-lost parent returns wanting forgiveness. The Subversion: The long-lost parent returns wanting nothing. They are indifferent. They have healed without the family, which is a far more profound rejection than anger. As parents age, the children become the parents