Hello everyone.
Can I say at the absolute outset, that each of you has my sympathies. I have a young grandson who is the light of my life, and cannot imagine the loss you must feel.
So why I am contributing here? Well, because I read Yogagirl's post I wonder how daughters, years down the line feel, about shutting out their mothers for no reason and if they really regret what they've done and felt it deserved an answer. I am a daughter who walked away.
My answer would be that subsequent feelings, and remorse or lack of it, would depend entirely on the reason for walking away. Those who base the decision on petty annoyances, the influence of partners,drugs, alcohol etc will undoubtedly feel a considerable degree of guilt. Sometimes it may even be those feelings of guilt which prevent a re-connection.
For others, like myself, the story is different. I do not imagine anyone here would fit my mothers profile, so please do not take this as a comment on your own situations .....but I walked because my parenting was toxic and emotionally abusive, and I accepted it throughout my life until the same attitudes were turned on my own daughters. At which point I closed the door, walked away and never looked back. No guilt. No remorse. Not at any point then, or in the decade or more until she and my stepfather died. And no, I did not attends the funeral.
I have read the posts here, and see not one which indicates the type of circumstance which causes such an extreme response. So, I believe that your alienated children will feel remorse at some point. Hold the door open, and try to avoid recrimination however much it may be due.,,,,because guilt may be the one barrier left to defeat.
[flowers to you all]