Beautiful words! I agree 100%.

I needed to be reminded of that scripture. Truth and comfort in your post., Maria.

I get hurt, like each of you, but I need to keep the LOVE and just continue to pray, pray, pray for them.

Next week is my granddaughter's 13th birthday and this is the first year I can't see her or communicate with her because my ES decided to end any contact with grands. (although I have been in their lives since they were born) I have been estranged from ES for over 6 years, but up until this year, I had contact with kids. He also distorted an incident which occurred many years ago and told grands I said something I never did, but kids believe now. I cannot even tell them I never said that.

So, right now, I am feeling more resentful than ever toward my ES, but, I have to remain loving (in my mind) and get through this next week. Not an easy task, but what is the alternative? Anger and bitterness only hurt us........ forgiveness heals us.

Thanks again, Maria...... Hugs to you............

ps prior to coming here this evening, I was changing my DS profile. I wasn't sure what I wanted to write. After reading your post, Maria, I used this scripture. Perfect!

Youngest daughter has been doing a lot of soul searching, trying to figure out how to get along in various relationships. After some emails back and forth this week, I sent her 1 Corinthians 12.. I like the last verse.. "and I will show you a more excellent way".. which leads into chapter 13.. the love chapter. Seems we're thinking along the same lines!

Iron, it's hard when we have these mixed emotions and when they are so fresh in your mind.. Just keep trusting and have faith that God is in control.. that seems to be easier for me as time goes on. At least this week lol

Thank you Maria.. you summed it up so well.. and spoke to me also!

Small, but "Caring" site. Perfect choice for site name. Thank you, x!

It isn't easy for me this weekend either. I am extra busy with work but the mind still wanders to how it would be if we were to spend this Easter with son and his 2 boys, or with daughter, her new husband, and her baby daughter. But this is not to be. I think wife and i have this mutual understanding now between us to not even mention our kids at this time because we would just sink into a hole of conflicting emotions and what should have / could have / might have /happened this weekend. Here in the motel, we are receiving many guests who just come here to relax with family locally or just to get away from it all and run away from reality and just be with their most loved ones here in this beautiful nature spot. Yes we do care about our estranged children and we have accepted that they do not want us in their lives now, but this acceptance is in some way a very painful one. In God we trust their and our fates. And i have to apologize for not being enough on here these last few days. Hugs to you all, my dear friends on here. xfmlg

My dd sent me pics from resort in Florida and I spoke to kids on phone. They are all happy and said "Happy Easter" but life is different these days.

I used to ask if they went to a church down there, but now I don't, because I know they didn't and, really, why annoy anyone? (lol) Things are so different these days, in families and in the world. Xfmlg, I think you would probably be surprised how yours celebrate these holidays, as well.

We have these pictures in our minds of how it might be but, usually, it is totally different than we imagine(lol). My daughter said she didn't see her teen boys all day. She said they were all over, including the "hot tub with new friends they made and some girls." At least my 8yr. old granddaughter is hanging with her parents at the pool. So, this is Easter(lol).

Any holiday, though, seems to bring our EC to mind and it is hard. I am glad DS is here and, if we need a place to go, we can come here.

xfmlg, enjoy the work you do in what I imagine is a beautiful place. Hope everyone here had a peaceful day!

Hope you all had a nice Easter even though your EC were not with you. It's not easy.