Purcell: My mother’s ultimatum

Tom Purcell - My mother's ultimatum

I’m 63 and still single, but my mother has never given up hope that she will get me married.

I've been estranged from my parents for 10 years after mum's ultimatum

WAITING to have photos taken on my wedding day, a guest’s question left me reeling. “Why are your parents not here?” she asked. Dr Becca Bland has been estranged from her parents for the last 10 yearsBecca Bland It wasn’t the first, and won’t be the last time I’m asked why my mum and dad aren’t in my life, and haven’t been for many years. As anyone who’s experienced estrangement knows, the lack of understanding about how deep family fractures ca…

Purcell: My mother’s ultimatum

I’m 63 and still single, but my mother has never given up hope that she will get me married.

Guest: My mother's ultimatum

I’m 63 and still single, but my mother has never given up hope that she will get me married. “What about that nice young lady who cuts my hair?” “Ma,” I tell her, “I’m old enough to be her father.” “What about the community director at my apartment complex?” “Ma,” I say, “she’s old enough to be my mother!” “You’re too picky!” she says. She is right. I had no small number of opportunities with some...

Tom Purcell: My mother’s ultimatum

I’m 63 and still single, but my mother has never given up hope that she will get me married. “What about that nice young lady who cuts my hair?” “Ma,” I tell her, “I’m old enough to be her father.” “What about the community director at my apartment complex?” “Ma,” I say, “she’s old enough to be my mother!” “You’re too picky!” she says. She is right. I had no small number of opportunities with some very lovely ladies, but I just panicked at the t…