Let’s Define “Estrangement”

Actually, we can’t. That is, we can't come up with one definition that encompasses all the varieties of relationships that suffer some kind of break. But we can start to identify common feelings and experiences people have when they characterize themselves as being estranged from family. So, for example, whether the estrangement is complete and there's absolutely no contact, or perhaps texts are ok but not phone calls or calls and texts but no in-person visits or no holidays together, you get the picture…something less than full, open, loving communication has taken over. And it almost doesn’t matter what the reason was, people struggling with these kinds of breaches suffer a loss as painful as a death in some cases, but with no rituals and no acceptance from the outside world to help them get through. So there is grief but no mourning, anger but no resolution, emotional pain but no outlet.