Single Parenting/Divorce/Separation Page

Believing in yourself
standing for what you believe in
regardless of the odds against you
and the pressure that tears at your resistance
means courage

Keeping a smile on your face
when inside you feel like dying
for the sake of supporting others
means strength

Stopping at nothing
and doing what in your heart
you know is right
means determination

Doing more than is expected
to make another's life a little more bearable
without uttering a single complaint
means compassion

Helping a friend in need
no matter the time or effort
to the best of your ability
means loyalty

Giving more than you have
and expecting nothing
but gratitude in return
means selflessness

Holding your head high
and being the best you know you can be
when life seems to fall apart at your feet
and facing each difficulty with
the confidence that time will bring
you better tomorrows
and never giving up
means believing in yourself...

-- by Mary Ellen Joseph

Oh, God bless all the people
Who got it right the first time 'round,
And God bless all the children of
The marriages on solid ground.

But some are trapped in corners
Where guilt and blame in shadows lurk.
I'm sorry they may never know
A happy marriage isn't "work."

Life's full of disappointments
Like D-I-V-O-R-C-E,
And there's no compensation when
The children suffer needlessly.

I'll be the first to tell you
There'll always be regrets, of course,
But I can also testify
That life goes on beyond divorce.

Too often, in the shadow
Of one discarded wedding band,
It's easy to go find a mate
Just like the one you couldn't stand.

But sometimes, if you're lucky,
Fate sneaks upon you from behind.
He wasn't looking for a wife,
Nor I a husband at the time.

We aren't any different
Except that we had been rehearsed
To savor treats we might have missed
If we had found each other first.

Because of prior unions
That weren't exactly heaven-sent,
We count our blessings every day
And treasure every moment spent.

So if your heart is breaking
With sorrow for what might have been,
I pray that God will bless you too
And teach you how to trust again.

by Mary Sullivan