Comments on: Thankful — Or Not — It’s A Choice

By: patriciaflorio

patriciaflorio — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:38:36 +0000

I would love to have lunch or coffee,whatever works. Thank you.
Patricia

By: Kaylie Jones

Kaylie Jones — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:24:09 +0000

I can't thank you enough for your words here. What a difficult thing to go through. It must be even worse when it's your child rather than your parent. I'll see you in a few weeks. Let's have coffee or lunch, or something when you have time during the residency. Kaylie

By: patriciaflorio

patriciaflorio — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:52:50 +0000

Hi Kaylie,
After reading the 16-year old's letter and your comments beneath, I know you must realize that even though your family is three and the holidays hurt sometimes, you have touched many hearts and souls. My daughter is now engaged in reading your memoir (I'm a Wilkes MA student graduating in Jan.) that I gave her after your Brooklyn book signing. I gave it to her for selfish reasons. The man she is involved with and had a child with is potentially an alcoholic. I say potentially because I'm not a doctor; I can't diagose someone else. For two years I dwelled over this choice she made; I cried for two years, went to my room and stayed there, isolated myself, let my life crumble around me. I stopped eating, my mind went to mush. I began to see things that weren't there and dreamed horrible nightmares that I believed were real. It wasn't until the night I signed myself onto psych ward of a hospital that I began to get help. We are all hurting from one thing or another. We are human beings. I pray for you to not let depression get a hold of you the way it did me. I climbed out of that dark hole and came back to Wilkes, where I found love and companionship and another family. Let us embrace you as ours. You have given so much of yourself, that you're just a little tired now. Rest knowing that you have family. There's a whole community out there who loves you.

My own family had been torn apart by my daughter's actions, but I wouldn't disown her as my sons wanted me to. After three years we are back together through God's grace, and you will be too. Things do work out. They do.

By: Constantine Markides

Constantine Markides — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:15:03 +0000

Thanks for this, Kaylie. I like what your former Taekwondo teacher said about stamina and innings. So much comes down to that. Stamina. I may not have the quote exactly right, but Bukowski once said “All that matters is how well you walk through the fire.” He could have added “And how long.”

By: btaylor729

btaylor729 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:22:33 +0000

What beautiful words. I understand the low-grade depression, the constant questioning, the everyday insecurities. I think we all live that life to varying degrees. I found it especially interesting that even Mr. Bill, who seems so grounded, admits to being afraid. I've seen you with Eyrna. You're an amazing mother. You give her unconditional love. That's everything.

Happy Thanksgiving!

By: Bev Schwartz

Bev Schwartz — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:45:16 +0000

When I saw the three of you together in August for a week, I thought you had a lovely, warm relationship. Money doesn't buy that. And parents always think they're not doing enough for their kids; it's sort of the nature of things. But, truly, when Eyrna grows up, the THINGS she has are not what she will remember; the times together are what will last. Happy Thanksgiving, Kaylie. Love to Kevin and Eyrna. Bev

By: Tom Borthwick

Tom Borthwick — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:29:14 +0000

Beautifully said. I had a professor who said life is lived in circadian rhythms. We have our ups and downs, inevitably. But there is a lot of choice in there. Thanks for giving me something to think about this Thanksgiving.