Ex-Empathy

I have to admit that I find myself in empathy for my ex-wife, Especially when it comes to the kids. They live with me and have done so for over a year. Her exposure to them is limited. Not by my account, its chosen by the kids. Their old enough legally to determine where they are going to live.
Each day she gives them a nightly call on their cell. Many times she does not get through. Between the holidays at the end of 09, I went to see my sister in OK city. They both did not want to spend the entire time with their mother. But I convinced them and her to go for 2 days in the beginning of the week, visit friends in the middle. Then at the end of the week they were to leave for her side of family Christmas.
The first day, right after exchange of presents, all hell breaks loose. Katie calls me balling, then Jon. They told me Mom's a wreck. I am sure she tried so hard to keep the piece. Katie told me she was going drive them home. Fortunately, they worked things out. But I bet it was a very emotional time. I guess they did have some problems at family Christmas. I wasn't told too much, probably by design. Either way when things go bad for them I feel it is a sad situation.