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How about a tax break for single parents!  I know it's off the general subject, but I have been a single parent for more than 15 years and have sacrificed having a main stream job to be able to focus on developing 2 children that will benefit our society and not be an added burden.  I am college educated and am considered a professional in my field.  I have a son in college as a pre-med student on a full scholarship and a daughter in high school that has been a finalist in an environmental competition.  They do not do drugs or break the law.  That would cost our taxpayers in expenses for prison and other financial burdens.  I would appreciate a tax break for raising citizens that will improve our society.  I will not have the money to retire and am planning to work into my 80's.  Give me a break please.

posted 4 years ago
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It has been almost 2 years since my ex-husband committed suicide.  He was my soulmate.   He was joyful, energetic, controlling, single-minded and magical.   In these two years since his death, his youngest daughter had a sweet baby girl and his oldest married her soul mate.  The ache that remains dulls even the most happy occasion.  I am forever changed.    When he told me he was depressed after the last time he had visited me, I started to worry.  We talked every day and I was desperately trying to get him to move back to Portland and be close to myself and his family.  He thought that he  couldn't at the time and needed to stay on the ranch that we both loved. Th last time I talked to him he said I Love You and Good-by, which was not the normal combination of words he normally used. The phone call confirming my greatest fear left me crumpled on the floor and part of my soul left me that day.  It will never return, but as I struggle to bring back pieces of the person I used to be, I realize how much our mental health services failed my late husband.  What if I had said "Are you thinking of hurting yourself".  Even though people have told me not to blame myself, I can't help not thinking that I could have given him more help or hope.  I understand the dark spiral that he fell into, and had similar thoughts that my life really isn't that significant, but having my children and people that I love around me has helped me survive my darkest hours and I will always feel sadness and joy having loved my husband.  Time fades but does not erase memories.  His life was significant to all he touched.

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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