My mom died 17 years ago this summer. I will officially be alive as long without her as I was with her. I still can’t talk about it without crying, so I basically don’t talk about it, which is not great, but whatever. Sometimes I don’t even notice, or it’s just sort of a weird realization later that she doesn’t know…

I think everyone, including the author, realizes the logical thing to do is to support the surviving parent and be happy for them.

Because maybe not everyone has the same reaction to things? And people’s relationships differ greatly both with their spouses and kids, and also with grief?

You’re being a real dick to someone being open about how they feel. Guess what else is a super awesome sarcastic fact about life that you surely didn’t know before? You don’t have to agree with peoples’ reactions to things, because nobody gives a fuck about some asshole getting on their high horse about A STRANGER’S…

IT. IS. A. PART. OF. LIFE.

The fact that you have experienced loss at such a young age makes your comment that much worse.

I’m guessing you have never been through something like this.

Coming from experience (yes, in their late 20s with a widowed father in the dating pool) its not much about them dating and making choices per say, its more about realizing that your parent is really gone and that you dont want your living parent to get hurt or used or go extreme with a new person. Yes, we all need to…

Before I say anything else, I love your username.

And I’m really glad to hear that. I don’t think anyone particularly needs a partner to have a fulfilling life, but I get the impression that she does want someone around. She was very used to my being around (I mean, who wouldn’t... they were married for 37 years and…

To lose a parent at a relatively young age, whether as a child, or in your 20s or 30s, is to live in a half-world. Everyone pretty much expects their parents to die before them. No one expects to live almost the whole of their lives without them.

My dad’s been dead for more than two decades. I’m nearing the age he was…

Jeez, some of the comments here...I have disagreed vociferously with some of the things the author has written in the past, but I don’t see what’s controversial about admitting that seeing your widowed parent dating gives you feelings you have to deal with.

It’s not really a debate. A debate is an exchange of opposing ideas. You’ve offered no ideas. You’ve offered bitterness, and rage, and childish ranting.

If you believe that the “majority” of children, Catholic or otherwise, have been abused, you’re not just a narcissist, you’re a fool.

I’m not religious and I know everyone knocks PF because he’s a Pope and therefore not nearly liberal/progressive enough for their tastes, but...I can’t help it. I love the man.

I know people are suss on Papa Frank and think it’s all spin, but I am convinced and totally picking up what he’s putting down. I have not been more proud of my religious heritage in a long time.

Imagine being raped and your life ruined and no one gives a shit.

HOW DARE YOU I LIVED IN NORTHEAST AS A FRESHMAN AND ALSO HUNG OUT IN FUCKING SYLVAN LIKE A FREAK

Did you live in Southwest? No cars flipped in Central. :-)

lets just all agree that the dolphins and jets are the worst

guys but the celtics right now tho

i’m a celtics (FUTURE NBA CHAMPS WHAT)/sox fan so i can’t go that far