Community Matters The Glen at Aberdeen Heights
February 2016
How to heal a rift with your adult child By Erica Manfred for Next Avenue
For a full year in my 20s, I did not speak to my mother. She was controlling, overbearing and hypercritical, and she had a nasty habit of shooting zingers at me and then insisting she didn’t mean anything by them. At 19, I moved to New York City from our New Jersey suburb to escape her, but every time she called or visited, we’d slip into the same old battles. One day I’d finally had enough and stopped calling or returning her calls. I was her only child, and the rift devastated her. She phoned regularly and tried to see me, but I was adamant about needing my own space without her in it. My father, whom she dominated as well, made it his business to stay away from me. I’m softhearted by nature, so I eventually relented, and my mom and I reverted to our usual tense relationship — but with one difference. I let her know that some of her behavior, such as constantly criticizing my weight, wasn’t acceptable and that if she didn’t stop it, I’d disconnect again. She knew I meant it and actually managed to change some of her more egregious behaviors.
Finding the beauty in life Robert Warner enjoys second career as artist By Vinnie Warner, Robert’s wife of 57 years
Robert Warner is a self-taught artist. Following a successful sales career, he retired to do what he always wanted to do…art! His artistic endeavors led to a second career. Robert’s avocation became his vocation. Love of nature and the outdoors have always been Robert’s passion. He observes the birds and animals which frequent the landscape. And, he admires the beauty of fine-grain natural wood. Hence, he chose to construct three-dimensional wood art reflecting those interests. Robert calls his decorative art, “Sculptural Assemblages and Constructions.” Most are representative scenes from nature. He especially enjoys creating birds; it is amazing how he can convey the look of feathers utilizing the natural grain of the wood.
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A proud member of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America
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