My guest today is Michelle Rohlf, and she is granting me another interview to follow up her interview in May of 2023. In our last session, Michelle and I discussed the pain of having a child estrange themselves from us. She described her journey through her healing process and writing a book that chronicled that process.
Today, Michelle describes how her work has helped her and others. She says that while writing the book, "Losing Her, Finding Me" (info below) she learned not only about herself, but about her child's journey too. She describes finding understanding about her own behavior and responsibility in the estranged relationship. Additionally, in looking at her daughter's story, she came from bitterness, anger and resentment into compassion and understanding. Perhaps most importantly, Michelle teaches us that it is important when healing to look at what we had control over and what we did not.
Although a big part of healing ourselves and our relationship is to take responsibility for our part in the conflict, it is also true to honestly be willing to forgive ourselves and remember what we are not responsible for as well. Once Michelle could objectively see all elements in the equation, she was able to heal to the point of offering and accepting forgiveness of herself and her daughter. Today, her relationship with her estranged child is healed and on healthy terms.
By sharing her story, she has helped other parents online as well as in speaking engagements, book signings and personal ministering. She shared some of her book reviews and said that she has received many letters thanking her for her willingness to tell her story so others could begin to heal and move forward in their own.
Michelle encourages others in this situation to reach out for support. She mentions various groups that offer support including a group on Facebook called "PEAC" Parents of Estranged Adult children.
To learn more about Michelle, her book, her work with helping parents who are estranged from their children, look for her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Amazon by typing her name, Michelle Rohlf. Where she is available on these sites will come up. Or you can go to Michellewrites@gmail.com, or her website at https://michellerohlf.com
The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero https://dotseroband.com
To connect with Laura Padgett to to https://lauralpadgett.com
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