So, when you asked if any child deserved [traumatic event], and I said 'no' in the midst of a long-winded self-flogging prattle about how it must have been my fault, you looked at me and softly said, "You said 'no'." I kept prattling, of course, in my self-conscious and self-shaming way, as if I was unable to accept any evidence to dispute my view of myself as a bad kid.

You may have thought I missed your statement. But I didn't. I wish I would have just stopped my prattling long enough to acknowledge it, and thank you for pointing it out. I didn't then, but I am now. Thank you.