Dear Mom,

I'm sure you would say you did the best you could. I think you did the best you chose to do.

You're probably feeling very sorry for yourself today, and everyone else in my crazy @$$ FOO is fueling your martyr syndrome. I'm sure you told them that you sent me a Mother's Day card--too bad we're not talking or I would tell you it went straight in the trash unopened.

I've done very well in life, at least as far as most people can tell, but my success in life is in spite of you rather than because of you. And you will never understand why I harbor such anger toward you--it's easier to just call me the crazy one and blame me. Scapegoating is such a relief, isn't it?

I enjoyed spending time with my kids and in-laws today. My MIL has been more of a mother to me than you ever were. I learned as an adult what true love really feels like, and I never felt it from you, mom, or anyone else in the FOO. So at least now I know I'm not the problem.

I hope you had fun in your self-pity today, mom. It is, after all, one of your specialties.

Signed,

SarahPlainandShort