Dear Dr. Laura:

I heard you say on the air that you like to hear updates from past callers, so I thought I'd share mine with you. I wanted to take the opportunity to say THANK YOU. I called you for help discerning how much contact to have with my father. He abusive to me and has never admitted any wrongdoing, much less apologized.

During our call you pointed out that my mother had sat by and permitted the abuse. She was also at fault for doing nothing about it. I suddenly realized I've been giving her a pass all these years. I hung up feeling deflated. I wanted to tell you that I needed that push. I need the push to let go of my fantasies and face reality. As unpleasant as that was, I had to do it.  I am taking the next step and put into practice your advice; to focus on the amazing blessings I DO have rather than on what's missing or what I didn't get.

Thank you for helping me to turn my back on the darkness of the past. Now I can look forward so I could count my blessings and embrace with gratitude the "moms" and "dads" who are already in my life. Thank you. And God bless you and the work you do.