Same Blood, New Ground

They did not agree on everything, but they stayed in the room. Family estrangement and conflict can increase stress and negatively affect mental health, especially when communication breaks down completely (Carr et al. 111).

Research shows that selective reconciliation and boundary-based contact can improve emotional well-being without requiring full repair of past harm (Gilligan et al. 512). They spoke carefully, listened longer, and let silence exist without anger. Unity did not mean returning to the past. It meant choosing a healthier way forward.

Works Cited (MLA)
Carr, Kristen, et al. “Family Estrangement, Stress, and Mental Health.” Journal of Family Psychology, vol. 29, no. 6, 2015, pp. 109–118.
Gilligan, Megan, et al. “Boundary Management and Emotional Well-Being in Estranged Family Relationships.” Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, vol. 35, no. 4, 2018, pp. 505–525.