Grandparents Denied Access to their Grandchildren
to their Grandchildren
Mother’s Day is a holiday driven by sentimentality and commerce. Although it purports to celebrate all mothers, the holiday is completely disconnected from the reality of motherhood. In many cases, motherhood is fraught with sorrow, hurt, anger, neglect, abuse, disrespect, despair, worry, exhaustion, heartbreak, and…
The dictionary defines forbearance as “abstaining from the enforcement of a right.” Forbearance is quiet, patient and knowing. It refrains from pushing too hard, especially when it would be fruitless. It is noble in its practice of self-restraint. This excerpt from a poem, called “Forbearance”…
Man struggles to find life outside himself, unaware that the life he is seeking is within him. Kahlil Gabran Everyone asks me what I’m doing today on my birthday. In the past, my natal day would be a flurry of activity. I often looked to…
Ever since I was a child, I’ve searched for my true family, my tribe, my place in the world. I’ve yearned for a loving fortress to protect me from harm, and a place where I could find safety and sustenance. I’ve had many relationships, friendships,…
As 2020 draws to an end, many people are breathing a sigh of relief. True, the year is ending, but many problems will follow us into the new year. 2020 was definitely a year of unprecedented upheaval, stress, challenges and heartbreak. But, as many challenges…
The holidays are here and many of us are trying desperately to hold on to and honor our traditions. We’re planning socially distanced get togethers, keeping the number of guests small, requiring masks when not eating or drinking. We hope to make lovely memories, despite…
I recently heard a story on NPR where the commentators wondered how this pandemic will affect the yearly shopping event known as Black Friday in brick and mortar stores. Black Friday: a day when frenzied shoppers push their way into stores, often trampling each other…
Hello, readers! I’ve decided to start writing again. I find that ongoing estrangement has many facets and new, sometimes unwelcome depths and challenges. It’s the first day of fall, the Equinox. I’m sitting outside on my deck watching tropical birds fly over the lake, perching…
I started writing this blog about eleven years ago, when I was in the throes of the early and devastating events which ultimately led to estrangement and alienation from my son and four grandchildren. This blog has been my friend, my refuge, my safe place…
There was a recent report on NPR about the growing problem of elder abuse. Several stories were told, two of which not only angered me, but brought me to tears. One in 10 elderly Americans experiences some form of abuse or neglect, according to the…