Chapter 11: The Tragic Break

​The tragic break refers to my parent’s divorce. It is always difficult for a family to go through a divorce. Our family suffered just like most families facing a break-up. Nebraska has developed the Nebraska Parenting Act. The process of moving from conflictual divorces, where children often lose contact with the parent who is designated as the ‘guilty’ partner, has been transformed to respect Children’s Rights-the right to be raised by two parents. Mediation in Nebraska is an example of how divorce can be done in a way that serves families. In classes designed to sensitize adults going through separation, parents learn about their children’s rights and need, and how conflict stemming from divorce can hurt children. Mediation is part of an overarching legislation accompanying families going through divorce. During my European Master’s Degree in Mediation, I visited Omaha and met with the women who lobbied for mediation in the Nebraska courts and co-constructed The Nebraska Parenting Act. Here is the Nebraska Parenting Act Brochure:
 
https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/Parenting_Act_Brochure_10-17.pdf
 
The tragic break also refers to my mother’s tragic car accident and her injury. She broke her sacrum right before my parents separated. The sacrum has a signature of sacred anatomy, looking somewhat like a butterfly. As her marriage with my father broke apart, she injured her sacrum. I sent her Symphytum or Knitbone, also known as Comfrey, a homeopathic remedy, to help her recover from her break. Here is an article that explains about Symphytum’s effectiveness repairing broken bones. Knitbone’s ability to repaire bones, is yet another form of sacred signature.
https://www.oatext.com/Fracture-treatment-with-the-aid-of-the-homeopathic-remedy-Symphytum-officinale-A-report-of-four-cases.php
 
As the sacrum looks like a butterfly. I use this symbolic representation to describe how the tragic break, lead to a butterfly birth for my mother Jan, who rebuilt her life and married Bob Falk. Her second marriage lifted her, giving her new wings of love. Looking deeply into the metaphors of our conflict and illness narratives allows us to see into situations and make meaning out of loss and hardship. After my mother Jan was happily married to her second husband, I began looking for my birth parents. This hinge moment is a page marker for both of us, a time when we moved forward in our lives.

​Bob Falk and Warren Buffet were long-time friends. My mother enjoyed her new circle of friends that she became closer to through Bob’s family network. Here is a documentary film about Warren’s life. When I would walk to Dundee Elementary School, I would walk on the Buffet’s sidewalk. Their house in Omaha was in our neighbourhood. Warren Buffet’s ability to create wealth and his decision to give it to foundations and charities that can use it wisely for the betterment of humanity, is an example to the world.
 
HBO Warren Buffet Documentary:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYHPlLsdW0A