Marie (not her real name) lives alone in a beautiful house. Her husband passed away five years ago and she began drinking. She was hospitalized three months ago because of another alcohol related accident in the home. Marie has been in and out of rehabilitation programs, had her driving privileges revoked, has frequent blackouts and ongoing short term memory loss. She does not remember what she ate for breakfast. Marie has been financially taken advantage of by salespeople, deliverymen, telemarketers and others she considers her friends. As a result, she has alienated her three children to the point that their relationship with their mother is one of intimidation. Some days they want to help, others they do nothing out of fear of being hated by the mother who raised them.
How many of us hold old grudges and anger? How many of us can't even remember why we're angry with someone after 10 years, but we know that we won't give in and forgive or talk to "that person". This is especially relevant in family situations where care for parents is involved. Emotions are high when the stakes of caring for a family member are involved. All siblings do not contribute equally. One may give financial support but not time. One may give time but no financial support. Others may just never show up to help with anything because they are simply too busy or have too many other commitments. This is the starting point for long standing family difficulties and anger that persist even after parents have passed away.
The digestive system in the human body is continually working. It breaks down and absorbs the food we eat allowing nutrients to be transported throughout the body. Persons with good digestive health don't regularly experience heartburn, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and nausea or stomach pain. "Good digestive health indicates an ability to process nutrients through properly functioning gastrointestinal organs, including the stomach, intestine, colon, pancreas and gallbladder."(AGA)