I wonder if atheists have it right. Believing in anything we can’t see, God or Satan, is like believing in Santa Claus, etc. I think I’d truly feel hopeless if I gave up on God, though. Although, many atheists seem quite at peace. In fact, many may be at peace, because they aren’t torturing themselves with all the other wordly what-if;s that I am. And many of them are fine people. I just know that faith is no good without peace. So I’m doing it wrong. I’ll keep trying. Actually I don’t think we’re supposed to have to try, per se, but to allow the grace of God to wash over us. We just need to surrender to His love. God bless you.

Susan, that is a VERY good point. And I actually have three siblings who’ve lost grown children. That’s why I was in such agony when she wouldn’t even respond to me for over a year. Thank you so much for your response. God bless you, and i’m so sorry for your loss. Much love to you. Even though I’ve mourned my daughter, in a sense, I know it’s different than the actual loss of a child.

Stan, I know just how you feel. But don’t give up hope. I had all but lost hope, once the relationship transitioned into estrangement (her choice) and lasted 15 months like that, before any contact, which she initiated. My daughter is 26 this year, and like you say, is responsible for her actions. However, as with your scenario, there is an “other” involved–a male family member…poisoning the well, as you say. My daughter is out-of-state, so she is far away, in more ways than one. I worry about my daughter too, for various reasons….her physical health, her mental health, the male relative…There was a time that I was sending cards, gifts, money, etc. And I got a similar response to the way you described. At one point, she had asked for money to come home on. She took the money and ran, as they say, and never came home. She took the male relative with her, and bought souvenirs for everyone but me. A lot of the stuff between us has included her passive-aggressive behavior. Anyway, she never paid back the money. I was patient with her disrespectful behavior for years. But she called one day, with her “stuff,” and it was just a very bad day. And I lost it with her, over the phone. Regrettable. That’s when the estrangement began, and for 15 months, she responded to nothing. She reached out again when she was ready. As far as anger goes, I have felt that as well. In fact, I would say I have felt actual rage, toward her and the male relative. Thank you very much for your response, and I wish you the best.

Hello, you are wise indeed. What I meant by what I said, was that I waiting to feel forgiven. That’s never really happened. I feel like I should just give up.

Thanks again for your feedback.

fw