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ariel spilsbury's avatar

This is such a touching testament to your deep sensitivity Cynthia.. to seeing "behind" the appearances of ordinary interactions with people (your mother in this case) and choosing to love her even though she couldn't meet you in your desire for more meaningful interactions. I had a very similar situation growing up (of course with very different circumstances) but the same desire for more realness and depth and sadness that my mother or father couldn't meet me anywhere near where my desire for real communication was coming from. I made very different choices than you made with those circumstances.. Instead of your in depth care and focus on them in spite of that lack, I just choose to move further away, as i found it too hurtful to remain in a stagnant position of never talking about anything that remotely looked like real or meaningful. I began to wonder with your offering here, if I had done the best thing in that choice. It felt life affirming and reasonable for me, but I am sure they missed interacting with me, perhaps never really understanding why I had chosen to distance myself from them. I have to hope that they haven't judged me for my choices. My mother, who is still alive at 99 y ears old, is very loving and kind to me, so whatever it was, she has let go of. So now I am left with just doing the same! Thanks for bringing this sweet mitten story to its full bloom, with what was behind the symbol of those mittens. You have a real knack, as I said, for seeing behind the obvious into the depth and meaning behind any idea or symbol. Thank you for choosing to write about this very personal and REAL subject. It has touched me deeply!!

PS.. You have achieved "Sainted status" in my books, for how you handled that soul curriculum with your parents in your life! Kudos!! love;.... ariel

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Jeanne Carlson's avatar

Thank you Cindy…

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