Posted by Deena Duncan on March 02, 2003 at 10:10:05:
In Reply to: Children Dealing with the loss of a parent posted by Kate Atwood on August 30, 2002 at 08:13:47:
Almost eight years ago, I was in the beginning stages of a horific custody battle with the father of my then 3 year old son and my 8 year old dauhgter. At a family gathering for Thanksgiving, I was given the news that the children's father was in the hospital with incurable colon cancer. Following his death, my children or myself were not invited to any get togethers of his family, including his funeral. I was living together with this man for over 10 years. After his death, not one person from his familky has ever asked about my children even though I have sent pictures. What a loss my children have suffered, twice with their father and then their grandparents, half brothers, aunts, uncles, etc. Every father's day I feel for my son in elementary school when the class has to make things for their fathers and I really feel for him because he is always sitting on the bench for his little league games because no one wants to help him improve his skills. The preacher of my church is his coach and pointed out to me last week that his ability is not that of the other players who have fathers. My children's father loved swimming and even though we have never been able to afford a home with a pool since his death, my daughter has been the top varsity water polo player in her first two years of high school. I would be willing to help out in any way possible to develop a nation wide support group for children who have lost their parents. Deena Duncan