regret
-
Unpacking My Layers of Regret
Dear Mom, When I was a teenager, you told me that I too often surrounded myself with broken people. That I’d seek out friends who needed help. Who needed to be fixed. Did it ever occur to you that I… Continue reading
-
I’m Ready to Return my Buyer’s Remorse
Dear Mom, When I was growing up, I often watched you while you sat on the couch. Legs stretched out long in your corner. Watching TV with a checkbook in your hands. “What are you doing?” I’d ask. “Balancing the… Continue reading
-
Letting Go
Dear Mom, When you died, I went into your nightstand and, along with all the books you’d been reading, I took all your journals. All your handwritten notes. I am so like you. Almost every journal is unfinished. A few… Continue reading
-
Life, Death, and the Diagnosis That Came Between Us
Dear Mom, I’ve been writing a lot lately about my need and desire to forgive and move on from the mistakes I made as a teenager and young adult. All the moments when I screwed up and all the apologies… Continue reading
-
Before I Move Forward, One More Thing…
Dear Mom, Last week’s letter about compassion got me thinking about the ways in which we as a society tend to move on from the ugliness of our history. I’m pretty sure that many people would love to simply erase… Continue reading
Sober Letters to Mom 