My cousin Anne faces one of the most remarkable challenges I have ever witnessed — she is the mother of a mentally ill child.  If you read any of my writing here or on Huffington Post about things that should not be said to parents about their children, a lot of it is inspired by watching what Anne has to put up with, from both friends and total strangers.

Her son has gone into residential treatment, and it’s both heartbreaking and hopeful.  In response to having to make this impossible decision, she’s written this:

http://www.acclivityperformance.com/2013/12/unexpected-blessings/

Please take the time to read it and, if so inspired, comment.

Here is my favorite part:
“Don’t Judge.  You never know what someone else is going through.  We are all doing the best we can with the resources we have at any given moment. If you are blessed enough not to be going through a difficult time right now, consider it your responsibility to be kinder than necessary because there are many people who aren’t so fortunate.”

Amen.