When I think how hard it is for me when my kids are away, I think what hell I must have put my family through by leaving home so young. (I was only eighteen)

She was always supportive but I never got to visit much, and then my Dad passed away, so many regrets there.

But at least we've been able to bring Mom over a couple times (it's super expensive and very far for her to come) and the kids just loved meeting her.

Your Mom just brought tears to my eyes, how wonderful of her to take you in. How awesome of you to care for her.

> Thanks, Lydia! I think there are an awful
> lot of amazing folks who post on these
> boards!

> You're right, leaving with all the kids, on
> my own, was super tough. Thank God my mom
> gave us a place to stay temporarily, but
> although she had a very nice home and was
> retired and self-sufficient financially, she
> had just had her cancerous voice box
> removed, could not talk, breathed through a
> hole in her throat which had to be
> "vacuumed out" multiple times a
> day, and I ended up caring for her a great
> deal physically. But she shared everything
> she had with us financially and the kids
> brought a lot of love into her last year of
> life. The "place to land" she gave
> us was so so important. I really really
> admire those who start over after many years
> in The Family without this kind of help, and
> don't know how they have done it.

> Laura