I think it was simply a matter of time. Our minds insulate us from pain we cannot bear. The realization dawns slowly and more gently so that we don't go insane. Poor George--I think he knew, and then repressed in order to emotionally survive.
I've never found their behavior to be surprising. Grief does astounding things to a person. And their grief is enormous.
I agree with you wholeheartedly.
You know, I think many people were angered and stunned by the Anthony family's reaction - the bizarre statements and obviously illogical reasoning in an attempt to hide the fact of their daughter's involvement. Many people wanted to hear the family press casey much harder than they did, declare that they believe their daughter is guilty, and to possibly disown her. But, I think a reaction like that on the part of a loved one who's family member comitted such a horrendous act is pretty rare. Some people do some of those three things but few do all.
Other members of the public may have been satisfied if the Anthony's simply stated, "Look, we love our daughter and we will continue to love her and be her family, but we do not know what her involvement is. This is a very difficult time for us and we do not wish to make any further comment." However, as you said above, grief does astounding things to people. It can cause a person to completely change their belief system, their ability to reason, function, or even their personalities. Add the Anthony family dynamic which does not appear healthy to me, and their attitudes are really not surprising.
We view this case from a perspective of horror at the snuffing out of a precious life and rage at the monster who did it. It causes us to see things a certain way. None of us view this case from the Anthony's perspective: The loss of their own beautiful granddaughter, who they adored, raised, protected and who seemed to have them wrapped around their fingers. They knew this child. They held her, fed her, bathed her, kissed her, cuddled her, sang to her. None of us did that and none of us can feel the loss of Caylee in the way they do. Now, add to that the unfathomable realization that their daughter is responsible. Can you imagine? I can't, except to say that I am sure if I was ever in such a horrendous position, I would not be able to accept it, comprehend it or come out of it sane. I know myself. I could not handle such a thing in my own family.
I don't blame the Anthony family for not being able to accept reality here. If they are starting to, I can see why they may be going crazy. Gosh, these people can't even deal with their grief by channeling it into advocacy for missing kids, or something similar. They would not be viewed in the same way by family members who lost a child to a stranger, for example, like John Walsh or Marc Klass. Parents of missing children may view them as family of a murderer, not just of a child who was killed.
I only hope that with the help of very skilled counselors, they will be able to process this a bit better. It may take very many years before they can fully accept the truth without losing their minds.
This case is a Greek tragedy. It's epic.
Sadly, I would not want to live if I was in their shoes. I would not want to live with the loss of my little baby, along with the knowledge that the child I raised and love is the monster responsible and that my testimony is necessary to bring justice to my grand-baby while at the same time convicting my flesh and blood child. That's a very horrible position and one that I think many people could simply not handle.
The Anthonys need to process this whole thing and come to reality very, very gradually, without pressure and with the strong support of mental health professionals. I can't imagine how they feel. This is a real life horror story. I for one can be patient.
