Hi Nicholeen –
I have a very vulnerable question about my relationship with one of my sons. He is 24 years old and living on his own, holding down a job. He went through devastating trauma as a child. He was sexually abused by one of his teachers over several years between the ages of 6 and 8 approximately. None of us knew about it at the time. He did not remember it until 4 years ago, when he suddenly remembered. This caused him to have a psychotic episode. We miraculously were able to stabilize him on meds without hospitalization. However, he was crushed, lost his faith and abandoned religion. He moved out more than 2 years ago, which was a huge step and essential. At that point, though, he started slowly distancing from me. Eventually he stopped visiting at all or allowing me to visit him, then stopped taking phone calls from me. He will reply to texts and that is our only communication at present. I have asked him if he will tell me why he is needing to distance so much, and he answered that he will not tell me now, but maybe in the future. He has more contact with his siblings and will speak with them over the phone and meet with them, thank goodness. They know what he went through and support him. He is completely cut off from his father, with whom he has had a difficult relationship for years. I have told him that I would do anything in my power to heal our relationship and I mean it. He is a beautiful, gentle soul, very sensitive and special. I am so proud of how he has persevered and I respect him immensely. However, this is a no answer from him that is so, so painful. I feel that I have moments of acceptance followed by moments of intense grief. I try to hold the hope of future change while accepting the now and connecting to him in the way he allows, but it is not a straight path for me. Do you have any advice for me?