A Letter to My Mom

Mom -

I can�t seem to think clearly right now. I can only imagine what you�re going through. Every time I try to concentrate or focus on anything, my thoughts come racing back to you, the woman who raised me with love and humor and wit and humility. I can�t bear to think of you sad for a moment, let alone hurt by this man who pretended to love us all, only to abandon each of us without a visible moment of remorse. I�ve never been so ashamed and embarrassed.

I�m feeling guilty because I moved so far away and I can�t get there in a moment�s notice. I�m feeling awful that I can�t be there to hug you and protect you right now. I�m sick that it�s Dad that I want to protect you from. Fortunately, I know how truly strong and brave you are� I�ve seen it my whole life. You�ve given it to each of your kids. You�ve made the three of us into very strong-willed people, and now we want to protect you, Mom. You�ve earned it! You deserve it all.

I am not going to tell you what to do, except this: accept our help! You�ve given to us our whole lives, and this time we want to be able to show you how grateful we are. Let your daughters bitch him out for failing you in so many ways� for failing us all. Let SP and I help this way. It�s all we can contribute until we can be there. We�re pretty smart kids sometimes, and we know a lot of people that can be helpful. Don�t sign anything until you can send it to us to look it over. SP has a company lawyer who�ll do it. SP and I have enough experience with legal documents at this point to probably give you advice on anything. I certainly know a hell of a lot about finances to help you get organized.

You may want to get this over with as quickly as Dad does, but remember that he can�t pressure you. Don�t let him control this situation, because you know he�s going to try. You don�t have to do things according to his deadlines, you can wait on each decision until you�re comfortable with it. And we�ll get a lawyer to call him and tell him to back the hell off if he tries to tell you otherwise! And don�t you dare let anyone tell you that you deserve less than what�s absolutely fair.

I haven�t practiced for this. I don�t really know what to do, but I have never for a second thought of doing anything but concentrating all I have to offer on helping you get through this.

I can�t wait to see you. Please take this money to get through. Get a lawyer, get a plane ticket, get a diamond ring. Get yourself whatever you need right now. And use this credit card for whatever you want. I�ll pay the bills when they come in. Just make sure when you use it on line you use the right billing address. Of course, I guess that�ll change soon, but I�ll let you know. I�ll put in an application to get your own card on the same account.

I really want to do this for you Mom. Please take it without even a second thought. SP and I have plenty, we have more than we need, and we�ve always discussed hopefully having enough some day to help our families and the people we love. It makes me proud of myself and proud of the person I�ve filled my life with to know that we�ve lived our lives in a way that we can do this for you.

I love you, Mom.