Suz! :O) Still waiting for Mr. Gere, I see. When is that man going to wake up?!? And you did make a difference for me, Suz. It is almost impossible to change our definitions of success or failure, or to refocus intent. You truly did help me learn how to think about and redefine a situation I never in a million years envisioned for myself. You taught me how to respond, right down to the words I would need. And it all worked, Suz. Once I could get my eyes open, once I took those first steps into "not the perfect, ever loving, non-judgmental mom" I was able, just a little bit at a time, to become a healthier mom. (I'm still working on that part.)
And Fran! :O) I have made progress, Fran. And that all began for me when you, who seemed so competent and together, shared with all of us "The Scream". Do you remember that? I understood then that no one had singled me out, that my failure to have created what I'd focused my life on was simply, the truth ~ and that I would, like you had done, need to learn how to be the best I knew to be, and do the best I knew to do with my children and with my life. So, I am stronger now, instead of destroyed.
And Witz, and Kathy 813. :O) (You've changed your avatar, Kathy ~ I like this one alot!). Deb and everywoman, Sheila and DDD and rejectedmom. Oh, we've been through so much together. I see Dammit Janet is still with us, too. (Hey, Dammit!). Does anyone know whether Going North is still posting?
Remember those cyber parties we used to have? And the thread on Gray's Anatomy, and how we laughed at those panties on the bulletin board?!?
Ha!
Laughter has been as much a piece of how we've all survived what's happened to our kids as sharing what we've learned about how to respond to them.
I'm so glad I came back.