Quote From: losinendHey, 1st wife. I cannot share your sentiments because I've not been there. But, I can tell you of a woman who was abandoned by her husband and left her with seven children to raise on her own. The youngest was born the year the husband left. Yeah, she was receiving children support money, but only periodically. He was a G.M. employee with a very good income. The woman struggled alot. She struggled to make ends meet. This woman was uneducated. Her primary language was NOT English. This woman learned on her own to sign her name if she wanted her support check cashed, if she wanted a place to live, even if she wanted to buy groceries for her kids. When she did not receive her support money on time, she did not squabble and complain to the "system". This woman had no harsh things to say about her children's father---nothing!! She took no time to complain about him or the system. I really believe that all her emotional, physical, and spiritual energy was spent at raising and loving her kids. Her children, also are grown now. She watched, helplessly, as her oldest child wilted away and died of the cancer disease. Did she complained to GOD at that time? I don't think so. Well, I'm pretty sure she did not. At least, I never heard her complain about it.
Oh, by the way. There was another woman in this man's life. She (1st wife) never complained about her, either. They had two children together. Their first child was born the same year the 1st wife's child was born!!
As I said, I do not know what you went through. But, I'll tell you, this woman I speak of surely does. That woman was mine, my brothers, and my sister's MOTHER.
Lady, you don't need to apologize to anybody. Your unselfishness, your dedication to raising your children, and to not getting even with your ex, makes you a close #1 in my book. One other thing, I do share my sentiments with YOUR kids, right? Peace.
God Bless you and God Bless your prescious mother. I needed to hear those words from you !! Thank you! I have always taught my children that when we care about someone and we do something for them that we should never bring it to their attention I would say "if you tell that person about the sacrafice you are making or have made then it is no longer a sacrafice". It is obvious that your sweet mother felt the same way. I can only imagine how many times she wanted to give up, or just curl up in the fetal position and give up, but she could not she had you and your sisters and brothers to consider. You will probably never know ALL of the things she kept as a secret in her heart to keep her babies free from worry and what she endured for her children. Sometimes it was hard not to be angry at the ex and to hate the hand that had been dealt, but it was not going to help my children to fight with their father, to take it to the courts and drag the children through even more. I really admire your mother for not taking him to court since he was not involved in his children's lives that's where I would have lacked her strength. I do feel when the dads do not have anything at all to do with the children that they should be made to pay, but you have given me something to think about. Your mother should be an example to all women in this situation! What dignity, what love, what unbelievable strength!! I only pray that maybe someday my children will have the things to say about me that you have to say about your mother!! How blessed she was to have you as her child and how blessed you are to have her as your mother. I will hold your words form your letter close to my heart and know with just your approval and if only yours alone, that I did the right things all those years ago. I too lost one of my children when he was 3 years old, but his father and I were still married so I had support. My heart breaks to know your mother went through all of these things. I want you to know that I will never forget the story you have shared with me about this beautiful woman, your mother. Thank you so much!! Take Care
(Original Air Date: 10/11/06) Did you know that your financial decisions could land you on the street? Are you one paycheck away from disaster? Stacey has two children and one on the way, and she says she is close to being homeless and it's the fault of her kids’ deadbeat dads, and her parents who have cut her off. Stacey's ex-husband, Pete, says their son would be better off living with him. So, why does he refuse to pay child support? And, see what Dr. Phil provides for Stacey to help get her life back on track. Then, a hidden camera experiment shows how people really treat the homeless on the streets. And, meet a family who was living paycheck-to-paycheck when the money stopped coming in, leaving them homeless. Manuel and Heather and their four children have been living cramped in their RV for the last year, where they have no electricity and must take showers at public beaches. The difficult circumstances are taking a huge toll on their family, especially the children. How did they end up in this situation? Dr. Phil makes an important, life-changing announcement to the family. Share your thoughts here.
