Following the loss of her husband to ALS, she struggled to raise her four children alone only to discover that her two eldest suffered from mental illness.

She describes her interactions with various public agencies: social, medical, and judicial. In caring for an alcoholic, schizophrenic son-as well as a daughter with a personality disorder who eventually commits suicide-the challenges she faced were formidable.

In the midst of waging her battles, the author examines her own past and family history, only to discover a long history of mental illness and alcoholism.

After the author marries for a fourth time, she's able to let go of her mentally ill son and find a measure of peace in her life.