8 Comments
User's avatar
Sacha Cohen's avatar

Heartbreaking and beautifully written.

Expand full comment
Natalie Serber's avatar

Thank you, Sacha! The funny thing is, we hold these stories and we don’t even realize how heartbreaking they are until we set them down. xN

Expand full comment
Barbara Poore's avatar

So compelling and sad, Natalie. Why do we raise our daughters to be responsible for everyone’s happiness, particularly our mother’s? I can already see this happening with Dottie. And yet you love her.

Expand full comment
Natalie Serber's avatar

I wish I’d been taught about boundaries, I wish I’d taught my daughter about boundaries. I wish my mother had been taught about boundaries!! Yiyiyi. Thank you, Barbara, for reading and letting me know. I’m grateful. xN

Expand full comment
Laura K Bray's avatar

I know the feeling of knowing things should be kept a secret. Even now, when I talk about my mother’s dementia and the shit show happening around it, I feel that same feeling. Somebody’s going to get in trouble… Thinking of you.

Expand full comment
Natalie Serber's avatar

I am right there beside you. Thanks for reading, and take good care. xN

Expand full comment
Jennifer Louden's avatar

Oh my friend. So much to hold and so much to let go of. I’m so glad to have read this and to know little Natalie. She’s amazing.

Expand full comment
Natalie Serber's avatar

Thank you, Jen. For reading and for letting me know. xxN

Expand full comment