Seven years ago I sat at my fathers deathbead waiting for the Hollywood moment. I told him that I loved him and forgave him and that I was sorry for how difficult our relationship had been. He tried to punch me and called me the dirty "C" word. The man was neglectful, abusive, selfish, cruel, miserable and mostly absent. I loved him deeply as all children do--craving his love and acceptance until the bitter end.

I lost a job during the time I spent at his bedside...I always think of that as somehow poetic...

My only solace was a lovely nurse who saw through the shit and kissed my forehead and told me I was a good daughter.

I have a 5 yr old son now. I can't change what happened in the past, but I can shape the future.

Peace and love.

"Where's the father? What can't he care for the child using previously-expressed milk?"

You do realize that if a nursing mother doesn't express the milk on schedule her breasts will leak, don't you?

Well said! As a 43 yr old single mother who transplanted from NY to Salt Lake City, (and who also happens to be a recovering Catholic)let me just say there is nobody more intolerant than a middle-aged Mormon man.

I know it wasn't easy. Ignore the meanies.

Think of the lost money as tuition paid on a business class and learn from your mistake. Next time something like this happens, ask for at least half the estimated labor up front. That way you will at least get something for your work.

The time you spend chasing this payment will cost your more in lost earnings and stress than it is worth. Your girlfriend is right, let it go.

...expressing so much hostility. I feel deeply for this girl. I got pregnant at 37. I was single and I still heard these criticisms. I was "old enough to know better." Contraception does fail. Not everyone can use hormonal birth control. Sometimes men don't stop when you say no. Do you REALLY want to go there?

How it happened is no one's business. It is so refreshing to see that so many readers have created perfectly planned families. I have no doubt that my "irresponsibly conceived" child and I will have as joyful a holiday season as you and all your "perfectly planned" children do. Maybe more so, he really was a gift.

You sound like me about 20 yrs ago. Guess what? I'm a mom.

xo

If Hillary doesn't win the nomination, I will vote for McCain. I ay this as a 43 yr old extremely liberal woman who takes much pride in voting against Reagan in her first election. With McCain, at least I believe I know the devil. I have always respected him, though not always agreed with him. I don't agree with him on the war--I want nothing more than the war to be over--but I respect him. I have no f***ing idea who Obama really is and it scares me...can anyone relate?

Immersed in a culture driven by a cult...Obama supporters sound an awful like the locals around here defending their "religion"...I have visited his site and researched him. I don't buy it.

Maybe it's because I am one of those women who seem to piss men off just for being who I am. I feel I relate to Hillary in a way I can never relate to Obama. I think I understand her well enough to know why she has played her hand the way she has. I think that Obama figured out early on that backhanded sexism is easy to get away with. I hate that he and his wife have completely grabbed onto the old argument of her "high negatives, divisiveness, polarizing qualities" and run with them...It irritates me that we are like media trained Pavlovian dogs...ask about Obama, think Change and hope; ask about Clinton, think divisive and unelectable. Two years ago I had a conversation with a friend who said he really liked Clinton, but didn't think she had a chance to win because of her high negatives so he would vote for someone els. I asked him what he thought would happen if everyone who had that same script running through their heads voted their gut for Clinton instead, what would happen?

It is just like when he made the statement that she was "likeable enough" He is like some young punk kid that just scored the winning goal in a basketball game and thinks he owns the world! How dare he assume my vote is his. It kinda makes you wonder why all the Obama supporters keep saying the will never vote for Hillary. Must me a mantra in the organization.

I am speaking from my heart. I have never voted anything but straight democratic tickets since 1982. I trust McCain more than Obama. He is a war hero and a true patriot. My first choice is Hillary, but Obama is not my second.