I struggled with this topic because my childhood was erratic with what I’m sure now was my mother’s undiagnosed mental illness. When we were little, we didn’t know our family was different from others. But mom didn’t get along with the neighbors, so we’d move and start new schools several times. Mom eventually didn’t speak to her entire family so we lost our aunts and uncles and cousins.
I’m lucky to have a sister and two brothers and we’ve all learned what not to do from our parents and have grown closer as a result. Time softens all memories and I can look back with fondness now on the good times we had, but still wonder how different things might have been had mom gotten the help she needed sooner. She finally was on medication for the last few years of her life and things were much calmer…
Highs and lows of our crazy childhood
Years went by before we understood
The fault wasn’t us and it wasn’t really you
Anxiety, mood swings, muddling your way through
Mama, we know you did the best that you could…
~Diane D.
In response to Mind and Life Matters Limerick Poetry Challenge, Mother…
LadiesWhoLunchReviews,etc 
Wow, this was so sweet and touching! A life lesson about patience and love! High admiration for you!
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Thanks, I’ve made peace with it…
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Diane, this was a touching story told in a beautiful way. I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day, dear. ❤ give JP a hug from Aunty Robin 🙂
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Oh, I will and thanks, girl! Happy Mother’s Day to you, too!
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Wow, Diane. This is a really moving poem. You are amazing for having such a good attitude and loving spirit toward your mom. That’s waht it all comes down to, right? How we choose to respond to the circumstances we find ourselves in. Absolutely wonderful poem. ❤
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Thanks, I needed to accept the way things were for my sake. We were lucky to find a wonderful doctor who believed me and put her on medication so we made better memories the last few years!
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That’s it exactly. Hang onto the good stuff!
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*Hugs* Diane.Very sweet and touching. Kudos to you and your siblings for becoming closer because of it.
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Thank you, we are close and lucky to have had each other’s support growing up!
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So well done — loved it.
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Thank you! We need to do lunch soon!
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I can imagine the bewildered thoughts at your young age until you grew old enough to understand. Thank God you had each other and that she finally got the needed help. Beautiful, raw post.
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Thanks, Jackie. I debated about sharing, but I couldn’t just do a regular poem for the prompt Mother. It is what it is and we got some better years at the end… still never spoke to her family though…my cousins and I now keep in touch which is really nice!
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I know how doubts about sharing can creep up but I think we are all adult enough to understand these things especially given that all of us have individual struggles that weave the fabric of who we are as individuals. I actually feel closer to someone when I know more about them.
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Thanks for understanding. I hesitate to make it sound like my childhood was horrible, because it wasn’t, you know, just ups and downs. But deep down, I always wanted a good relationship with my mom and it was as long as nothing set her off and my one brother said it was like walking on eggshells. I finally know that was her issue, not mine!
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Diane, It is good that you have been able to find some peace and understanding about your childhood. A lot of people, myself included, still struggle with understanding accepting.
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Thanks for reading. My siblings and I have talked a lot and that really helps us all.
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hand over heart, feeling this completely throughout my being. thank you for sharing.
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Thanks, I was a little reluctant to share but it feels right. Everyone has something to deal with, I know!
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It’s beautiful, D
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Thank you ❤
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You did a wonderful job on this. And I admire your positivity. A very happy Mother’s Day to you! ♥
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An erratic childhood can be a painful one. Glad to know that you’ve passed through the phase with the help of your siblings. A mother always tries her best, whatever her condition might be… 🙂 Happy Mother’s Day… ❤
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I know my my mom did the best she could without ever seeing she had a problem. Would our lives have been different if she’d been treated earlier? Yes, but it is what it is and I’ve tried to accept it and move on. Happy Mother’s Day to you, too!
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That is the wisest thing to do!… 🙂
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🙂
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What can I say..My respect and admiration for you just reached a whole new level Diane. I admire your positive and cheerful spirits despite the hardships and its so wonderful to hear you and your siblings stood together in this. I am so glad that things became better later on. Hugs dear 🙂 ❤ And a very happy and beautiful Mothers Day to one of the most amazing women I have met in the blogging world ❤
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You bring me to tears, thank you. I feel like everyone deals with some things in their lives and my siblings and later my husband and even my children have helped me through. Your words mean the world to me, sweetie, thank you!
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🙂 ❤ I meant every single word. I am so glad and happy your husband and children helped you through, but with all the help your wish to remain positive also counts a lot. On that score you deserve a lot of respect Diane 🙂 *hugs* ❤ 🙂
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[…] favorite people! If you have not read my Mothers limerick about my childhood, you can find it here. My life is pretty wonderful now, though, and I have a great support system. I might write some […]
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Such an emotional and highly mature piece of writing! I admire you for the courage and strength put forth by you and your siblings. It takes a lot of patience to accept such things. The best part is that you do not hold your mother responsible for this but her circumstances. That’s the attitude. It’s a great learning that I am taking from your post today!
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Thanks for reading. I decided I didn’t want to live with anger or bitterness toward her anymore and accepting things the way they were made it easier for me. ❤
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Prudent decision!
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🙂
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Wow, this is so touching! Above all, I feel so proud of you for forgiving her and realizing it was not her, but her illness! Really, Diane this one really moved me!
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Thank you so much. I had to find a way to accept that we did not and would not have a “normal” relationship with our mom and having siblings was a real help.
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[…] the Week 19 Limerick Superstar Diane of Ladieswholunchreviews with this brilliant […]
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