Dear DU, you encouraged me to write my story and share. So, I did. Please read *Small Edit/Update*

[llmart]

101. Thank you for saying that.

I just wanted you to know that your son may be gaining some valuable insights and strengths that will carry him through life better than some. My two grown children have heard my stories their entire lives. I made a concerted effort to tell them about my childhood so that they would not take their comfortable life for granted. They grew up to be very compassionate souls. I also wanted them to have some understanding of me and who I was and what shaped me. My son always told me I should write about it too, but I like to maintain some semblance of balance in my life at this age because most of my years are behind me and I don't want to dwell on the bad times too much. As the cliche says "It is what it is". I can't change the past. All I can do is learn from it and grow.

I'm interested in your comment that he makes an effort to hide it. I did the same thing for my mother's sake. I always felt like it was my job to protect her from my hurt. She was sad enough as it is. I saw it in her eyes a lot. She died at home one week before my high school graduation. My parents had no health insurance or life insurance. It was a time when you could "run a tab" at the pharmacy for morphine and a visiting nurse would stop in occasionally, but not often.

You just hang in there and do whatever you have to to keep your head up and you will be OK. Your son will be OK if he knows you love him and if you talk to him. Even the little ones his age can understand some of it. Hug him alot. And never, never, never be too proud to ask for and accept help that is offered. The greatest gift you can give to others is to allow them to help you. Most people really do want to help.