I clicked on this not because I'm a mother that is estranged from her daughter, but because it's the other way around. I am the daughter who doesn't have much of a relationship with her mother. At least for now. I don't know what the future would hold. But, I suppose I wanted to read it from the other side too.

For me, it's not that I wanted it this way. In fact, very much the opposite. I tried for a long time to have a close relationship with my mother. I craved it, envied it from those who had it. She wasn't abusive, or unloving; having her in my life simply wasn't healthy for me. Respect wasn't given, boundaries crossed, I wasn't being heard, etc. There just came a time when I realized I was much more peaceful, happy, and free without her in my life. So, I started down my own path of loss, grief, and finally, acceptance. Just like you had.

I am sorry about your pain and loss. This piece was beautifully written. One day, things will be different between my mother and I.. when we both learn to meet each other halfway, healthily. I think that has already started, cautiously, when I invited her over this past Xmas. My apologies if this opens up any old wounds. Thank you for allowing me to express this.