Saw something very triggering today at a birthday party.

I had a birthday party to go to today. My cousin TJs little girl is turning nine, and they had a party at their house. While there, a little girl tripped and fell onto one of those Styrofoam coolers and broke it. She got upset when she saw what had happened and started to cry, despite others assurances that it was no harm done. Finally, her father annouced he'd give her something to cry about, and spanked her in front of everyone at the part. When she kept crying, he carried her out of the yard and to the car and spanked her again. Then they drove off. I had no idea who the couple were. While talking to one of the guests, I commented that I felt bad for the little girl and that the poor kid might need therapy. Well, turns out the man who hit his daughter was TJs girlfriends brother. I felt awful, and she confronted me in front of all the guests. Even those who agreed that if he's going to physically displine his kid, it should be done at home.

I was mortified, mainly because in her shoes, I would have done the same, defended my brother. Noone speaks badly about my family, no matter if they are right or wrong

Quite frankly, the fathers actions scared the hell out of me. It sent me back to when I was a kid and my father would hit me out of anger. Never on the face, always on the butt, but it still put a fear of my dad in me. A few times it was in public, and I still remember how embarrassed and hurt I was that my dad would do that in front of people. Then when he would use the belt at home, it would hurt worse. It was just so awful to see. After the confrontation, I went to the bathroom and stayed there until it was time to leave. I was embarrassed and disgusted at myself for not keeping my mouth shut, and I was also upset at the words the woman had said to me. How I need to think about the dumb things I say and stuff like that.

Never felt so stupid and low in my life.