Jande, I had my own challenges, as we all do. We aren't goddesses for dealing with them.

No, I did not close off any feelings; I discharged them using the tools at www.rc.org, and I recommend them highly. We do have a great deal more choice than I think you expect of human beings. It's OK with me if you don't see it that way, but I don't accept your limits on how people can be, for me or for Hesperis.

I admire that you believe in Hesperis, and as her mother of course you should. I believe in her too. I believe in her ability to face how things actually are and get herself busy meeting challenges, and I believe there were some things that needed to be said.

In the Raised Poor support group I led for a time, we had a saying that often led to much healing:

"We ARE the people we have been waiting for."

And it's true.

~Susan