I am tired of pretending

I am tired of pretending
Friday May 04, 2007

Dear Alice,
I am tired of pretending we have a close family. Dad’s death was a watershed for me.
My daughter is 17. I want so much to be the kind of mom she deserves. Just when I feel good about how we are relating, I do or say something to mess it up. She and I keep working it out. I encourage her to be aware of her feelings and needs. I try to meet them as best I can. Through my own therapy, I have become a much more open person. I feel clearer and less judgemental. I am developing a confidence in myself that I never had. I am learning to love and take care of myself. I am learning to stand up for myself. I have better emotional and physical health. I am in a relationship with a man who is very interested in having a healthy relationship and life.
Alice, this is not an easy road. I get discouraged. I find opposition within my family and at work (I am a teacher). Without your work, I would never have found my own truth. Without this website, I would have felt even more alone with my own personal struggle.
I want you to know there is one more voice out here that totally gets what you are saying.

Sincerely, E.

AM: It is not easy to live with the truth but you see that your body responds with gratitude. I wish you the courage to continue and not to give up.