I think once we become parents we lose who we are. We become so focus on raising our children. They become the centre of our world. We raise them to have good values and equip them for adulthood and to make their way in the world and be independent.
It wasn't until I move I realised I lost me. I was wife then widow ,mother , daughter ,daughter in law and carer. Then became mother in law and grandmother.
I put everyone's needs ahead of mine. Even after my husband died. The children left home made lives of their own which as it should be. But still had people dependent on me.
After mom died no one was dependent on me anymore. Then I got jaundice . It was awful . But it was good in a way finally I had to stop . Couldn't do anything else but rest I was so ill. I had time to think and look back on my life. And decided what I wanted out of life.
It was strange I have never been I want person even as a child. But decided I wanted 3 things. Move house,lose weight and get fit.
Finally had definite goals . Something for me. And only me could achieve those things on my own. Moved house 2 years ago bungalow completed as I want it now. Started to lose the weight April 2017 lost 7 stone and half to go. Go to exercise class on. Wednesday afternoon. Started classes before I moved. And found I like exercise.
When my son rejected me it made me question me. And realised I wasn't the problem . It was him and his wife. Because if I was all the things they said about me why haven't I lost my daughter and family plus all the rest of my family and friends. And why is it I have made new friends since moving.
I know who I am. I am a good person, mom, mother in law, grandmother ,sister and all my other titles to other people.
Estrangement was forced on me. I had no warning . But I will not let it rule my life. Zero contact is what my son wants and that's what he has got. Hope it's making him happy. But he and my daughter in law forget my grandson's will get older and begin asking questions. Then see how they cope if they do to them what they have done to me.
I know I most likely had repeated some of the things I have said before.
But 3nanny6 and DerbyshireLass 's posts made me think.