Dearest Mother, I just wanted to thank you for the part you’ve played in our reconciliation.  35 years is a long time to be estranged from someone.  I just couldn’t any longer tolerate the drinking & all the drama that came with it.  But I still marked your birthdays as they passed one by one.  And I learned how to truly forgive you.  I learned that you did the very best you could; if you could have done better, you would have.

Now that you’ve been sober for 20 years I am delighting in getting to know the real you – the irrepressible you, the funny, witty & vulnerable you.  I’m so happy you’re willing to show me these parts of you.  

Thank you for giving me life.  I love you.