When I left my husband of almost 30 years, my youngest son chose to side with his father. The divorce was bitter, as everyone thought we had the perfect marriage. The truth was, it was an abusive relationship. I hid the ugly truth from everyone, including the children. My youngest son felt loyal to his father and broke off any and all contact with me. I was not invited to his wedding and could only keep updated on my son’s life through friends.

Thankfully, after being estranged for nearly a decade, we are back in contact. I am a grandmother to two beautiful grandchildren, whom I have the pleasure of babysitting. Everything between my youngest son and me is wonderful now, just like it was before.