Dear Anita.

Thank you again for your post and recalling my bad experiences with my mother. It has been a difficult relationship. For my mental health particularly given that she has now passed, it is best for me not to dwell on or resurrect the negatives any longer. There is really no point. When I saw her in her last weeks, I felt very sad for her. She was clasping to her life, but did not have the health to do so.

I understand where you are coming from re your own mother. Abuse can never be condoned. I did not condone it after I realised what my own mother was doing. I called her out on it, and caused her a lot of grief. As you rightly said, as children, we seek love from our parents, not abuse. It is a real betrayal!

However you have found strength within yourself and courageously forged your own path Anita. That process must have been character-forming, enabling you to be the wonderful lady you are, with the knowledge and heart to assist others. All that pain therefore has not been in vain. You are commendably living a life beyond yourself through supporting others!

I have, and encourage everyone, to let go of any grudge or resentment however difficult that may be. It took me a whiile…a long while actually! When my mother passed, the futility of it was clear for me. As the Buddhists aptly say:

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”

With my mother, I saw her cremated. She was burnt and reduced to ashes.  Nothing more to feel or say. It is final.

As I said Anita, death is grounding for everyone!

Warmest rgds

DC