Secrets
by Harriet Hairston
My husband and I were watching “Why Did I Get Married” over the weekend, anticipating Tyler Perry’s sequel in a few months. The
scene (please pardon the quality) at the dinner table was the most memorable for me. The way secrets were exposed from two of the most colorful characters in the movie was simultaneously comical and tragic.
Secrets have a unique way of eating at the marrow of a marriage or family bit by bit until the relationship has been ruined. I’ve seen it so many times: the uncle that died of AIDS before medical doctors knew what it was, the cousin who was raped by another close cousin, the little girl who was molested by her stepfather, the husband with the pornography problem, the wife who secretly planned a one night rendezvous with her high school sweetheart….I could go on and on.
One thing I have noticed: secrets do marriages and families more harm than good. The damage is wide ranging:
- Mistrust becomes the rule and not the exception
- Children learn how to lie and manipulate in order to keep or create secrets
- Open communication is prevented
- Heart and autoimmune disorders attack because of a lack of emotional outlets for family members
- Instead of unifying a family and creating cohesiveness, they divide and conquer
- They lead to miscommunication and self-doubt
Growing up, I was always the inquisitive (read: nosey) one. When things did not make sense to me, I was the first one on the scene, investigating and asking questions to make all the puzzle pieces fit together. Although some of what I found out about my family was painful, it also provided clarity behind why certain family members personalities were shaped like they were. It allowed me to deal with family from a more compassionate stance, as opposed to the frustration I normally felt towards them.
In my marriage, my husband and I have an open door policy. It’s even difficult for me to keep gift ideas and surprises a secret!
BMWK, everyone has a story to tell. How did secrets affect your family and relationship dynamics growing up? Do you keep secrets in your marriage? If so, why? If not, why not?
God bless!
~ Harriet
Harriet Hairston, a freelance writer, human resources administrator at an HBCU and creator of the motivational blog, “Can She SAY That?!?” has a unique style that brings readers into her life through her transparent demeanor. She lives in Louisiana with her husband and two sons. You can reach her at harriet_hairston@yahoo.com.
About the author
Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

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