Parent-child discord is rampant…

Experts have called parental estrangement a “silent epidemic.” Although there are not hard numbers, one study out of Britain found that 8% of adults are estranged from their parents… In another study, just over half of parents in the United States said they had a harmonious relationship with their grown children, which suggests parent-child discord is rampant…

There is no emotional road map for those people who are grappling with the loss of someone they may not have liked all that much, and who may have been the source of extreme pain in their lives. But experts say there is good reason to speak more openly about this experience, which is far more prevalent than society tends to recognize…  

Experts say it’s essential for grieving parties — and those supporting them — to remember that humans are emotionally complex, and that we are fully capable of feeling multiple emotions at the same time as well as cycling through them. Feelings like sorrow, anger, relief and happiness can coexist. When it comes to grief, there is no “should.”

— Catherine Pearson, Huffington Post, Aug 5 2019

My mother passed away early Sunday morning, somewhat unexpectedly. She hadn’t been doing well for a number of years, but she ended up slipping away without a specific end of life event at the hospital. My father passed away over twenty years ago, so I’ve had some experience with the loss of a parent. I just remember feeling differently than I thought I would. A lot of mixed emotions, and I find myself back there again. My favourite therapist says that relationships are complicated and love is messy. We can feel a lot of different emotions all at the same time. I’ll just say Rest In Peace Mum and thank you for the beautiful times. As for the darker stuff, we’re not alone. It’s more common than I realized and that makes me feel much better about our challenges. I hope you’re in a happy, peaceful place with Dad. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl