STRESSED spelled backwards is DESSERTS

i'm going to try to be fair here, but it's a challenge.

chris will probably have to fly away to kentucky next week to address a new and completely outrageous twist in the ongoing saga of his attempt to be able to see his youngest son, who turned 4 in september. chris has not seen him for over a year.

i have pity and compassion for the woman who is the mother of his son. she is living in a suffering hell of paranoia, which causes her to believe things that are not true. she is truly projecting her fears onto others, creating a dismal and fearful life for herself. unfortunately, her actions affect not just herself. i cringe when i imagine the effect her imbalance has on her children. (she has an older son, about 16, as well. as far as i know, she has no relationship whatsoever with his father, and used to fantasize that he was 'out to get her' as well.)

it is so difficult to stay centered when i contemplate the time, money, and energy that chris has put out to attempt to resolve this custody issue--and yet i know that her life is one of misery and pain. i would not wish her mental landscape on anyone.

it is a draining situation that chris has endured for a long time. he is patient in a way that i can only dream of. he has not bad-mouthed this woman in any way. he is not out for revenge. he only wants to be able to see his son.

usually it's the other way around--the courts trying to chase down men who deny that they are fathers because they want to dodge the responsibilty of parenthood. and here chris is, going to court to prove his paternity because he wants so much to be a part of his son's life.

karma, ripening....