Just found this great article:
http://freethoughtify.com/mama-id-like-to-introduce-myself/When parents disown their teenaged or young adult children, they miss out on seeing them mature. I daydream about the conversation I’d have with my mother now that I am in my mid-thirties. I’d love for her to get to know me. What would she think of her grown up daughter?
Hi Mama, I’m Bridget Gaudette, your 34-year-old daughter. We haven’t talked much the last dozen or so years. I know it’s because I rejected my religious upbringing and you felt you had to choose between god and me. I was young then.. just figuring things out in life and I really needed you. It doesn’t make me mad anymore. I just miss you. It occurred to me today that you don’t know ME. You probably still think of me as the aloof and angsty teenage girl who thought she knew-it-all, but in reality didn’t know a damn thing.
I have turned out to be a rather melancholy person. I also have trouble sleeping because I’m very anxious. Ever since Jon’s accident when he was almost killed, I awaken a lot at night to make sure he is still alive. I’m a worrier. I hate being alone. Not having you and my father and brothers in my life, has been very painful. I feel the pain and grief that a person might feel when they’ve lost their loved ones in death.. but you’re all still alive. It’s a special kind of confusion. I wish I could know what type of man Benjamin turned in to. He was a kid when I was cut off from him. I miss my brothers. I hope that you know that you are a constant on my mind.
Here is an opportunity for getting similar stories out to the world. This is a project by the author of that article.
http://grievingfortheliving.com/