Since the separation of our son and his wife,  my husband and I  help to look after our two grand children of 8 and 10 years and as they live in the upstairs flat its almost a full time job.

Their mother decided to leave the children to their father, our son, and go to live alone, “It’s too much responsibility” she said and the decision to separate was mutual.

I had noticed for some time my daughter in law`s irritation with the tasks a family create.

Our son suffered greatly at being rejected and left to care for his still young children and we supported him and shared his pain.

Sometimes we asked “Why” and found the answer in living the present moment and meditating the writings of Chiara Lubich above all when she speaks of suffering and lists the faces of Jesus Forsaken. We recognised this situation as Jesus Forsaken: “Absurd”, and loved HIM .

How could we manage however to go beyond this pain? Daily prayer and trying to live the Word of Life which nourishes us every month, were essential to be able to say “Yes” to J.F and always start loving again.

 Supporting my daughter in law was very important to me, listening to her without making judgement! We had always welcomed her as a daughter as she had broken all ties with her own family and I knew  I could continue loving her.

Sometimes I felt a sense of failure: maybe we hadn’t loved her enough as” Love Conquers All” ?

Many times we thought of breaking off contact with her but the” Ideal “formed in us by Chiara, to always love, was stronger than this.

Up till now there hasn’t  been a miracle of change in my daughter in law, but  there has been in me.

Every time she comes to pick up the children I greet her with a warm smile, ask her how she is and offer her a cup of coffee. I feel inside that this is the way to help the children to feel less alone and to be serene.

Our welcome, which my son agrees with, helps to create a joyful atmosphere which gives the children a normal childhood where we play at hide and seek, draw and do homework  etc.

At the bottom of my heart there is always the wish that the family will be reconstructed and in case this miracle happens I want my daughter in law to find the climate that will enable her to do her part.