Crying a River of Tears

Dear Kathy,

     All I have in this world is my one daughter and my two little grandsons. They live 10 minutes away from me. Yet I only see them for a few hours a week if I’m lucky.

     They spend all of their free time with my son-in-law’s family. His mother has 3 children and 7 grandchildren. While I sit in my apartment alone hoping for some company she always has a houseful of family. It’s very unfair.

Crying a River of Tears

 

Dear Friend,

     I hear your pain and loneliness. I have great empathy for your situation. I say this with compassion - the only thing that you can change about this situation is your attitude. 

     Life is often unfair. Tip the odds in your favor by refusing to feel sorry for yourself. Become someone that your daughter and her family want to include in their family life as much as possible.

     Go out every day and do something interesting - join a club, volunteer for a worthy organization, see a friend. Think about getting a pet, if you don’t already have one.

     Walking a dog is a wonderful excuse to be out and about in your neighborhood, talking to people. The local dog run is another great place to meet other people. You need to expand your social circle.

     Think about befriending your son-in-law’s mother and perhaps she'll extend invitations for you to join family gatherings in her home. You know what they say - If you can’t beat ‘em, join ’em!

     Get out of that apartment, my dear. Sitting there day after day, staring at the phone and feeling sorry for yourself will push your daughter away, not draw her closer to you.

     Try to focus on other people’s needs for a change and your relationships with everyone in your life will be enriched as a result!

 

 

Kathy

Readers, please give this lonely grandma some suggestions for filling her time with positive activities! Send your letters to [email protected]!