Do you think she wants a big dramatic Forgiveness Letter, or just a note to let her know you're well?

I don't really know. I honestly think trying to resolve years of misunderstandings at this point in time is needlessly dramatic. Our family style was never comfortable with drama. The line I'm taking for my own mental health is "Here is a letter from your grown-up youngest daughter, who has life complications of her own, but who wishes you well because all that is in the past." If she wants drama and is up to drama, then she'll have to instigate it.

Best to Emmett

Sounds like you have the basis of the letter

here I am. here's what is happening , may you find peace.

The line I'm taking for my own mental health is "Here is a letter from your grown-up youngest daughter, who has life complications of her own, but who wishes you well because all that is in the past."

That sounds like an excellent route to take, from the little I know of the situation.

connie, my sympathies. It sounds like you're doing the best thing possible for yourself, and I wish you peace.

Poor Emmett! I hope he feels better soon.

I always thought, when this time came, that I'd set her straight on a bunch of misconceptions she had at the time of our greatest collisions, but, really, what's the point? She's a 76-year-old woman who's probably got heart problems, given the double-bypass of four years ago, and lung problems from a lifetime of smoking, and I'm a 44-year-old woman with high blood pressure. One of us is supposed to be a grown-up, I think. I don't know where she is on her life path, so I guess I'd better take the default and be gracious. I think I'm going to owe Miss Manners another thank you note for teaching me how to just suck it up and think of somebody else.

Hec, could Emmett be experience a growth spurt (x-posty)? I remember having HORRIBLE leg pains around his age with no real explanation except for that. I hope he's ok.

Daniel, you're weighing the pros and cons--that's good. But keep make sure you put your own interests first. Good luck, whatever happens. It does complicate things, but it sounds like you've got a little bit more control over life with the actual choice-having.

{{connie}} Peace to your mother, whatever happens. I wish the rift could have been healed long ago and your family could be happy with the person you are. Also, what Hec said.

{{Connie}}

{{Emmett}}

I mean, don't screw them over if you don't have to, but if something better comes a long, don't feel bad for ditching them.

This. I have no qualms about interviewing while still in my current job. People do it all the time and sometimes it's almost expected.

One of my bad temp job experiences happened when I was hired to work in a stock room for two weeks folding clothes. In the middle of the third day, the boss came to me and others who were working that the VP's decided to not use temps and we were all let go. I was so pissed because I was counting on that money.

In the world of "at-will" employment there is no job security whatsoever.

{{{Connie}}} Maybe you should write two letters--one you'll send and one you'll write only for yourself.

{{{Emmett}}} Feel better soon, little dude. Hec, have you introduced him to "Shinesman" yet? It's a wonderful anime that lampoons the entire Power Rangers, Gatchaman, etc. genre.

Anne, I worked on your CowGirl ReBop mix a lot yesterday.

Whee! Hec, next time you're on Livejournal, check out the fst community. It may amuse you.

Connie, that's all so hard. It sounds like you have your head on straight and your heart in the right place, all at the same time. As for going back when the time comes, I don't know. I'm usually for mending fences, even if the relationship is never going to be what it once was. But if there's nobody there to whom you feel the need to offer comfort, and nobody there from whom you would receive comfort, I can't fault your reasoning. I'm sure you'll choose well, when you need to.

Hec, I'd responded to your post in Natter before I read this thread. I hope Emmett gets sorted soon, and that this is one of those freaky but unimportant little kid symptoms, and that he'll get better immediately, so you can enjoy wielding the and-then-there-was-the-time-you-worried-me-about-X soon.