Chapter 82

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I finished reading the letter, my emotions a turbulent sea of grief, understanding, and even gratitude. Uncle Ben’s actions had been motivated by love, not selfishness. But by a desire to shield me from the pain and chaos of addiction. He had sacrificed his relationship with my mother to ensure that I had a better chance at a better life. A life without the destruction an addicted parent could bring. 

It was a profound message of love and faith in my future, a gift that my uncle had left behind to ensure my well-being and happiness. The weight of my mother’s abandonment had been a heavy burden, but my uncle had tried to provide me with the love and support I had needed all along. At that moment, I felt a deep sense of closure and a newfound appreciation for the man who had raised me. I knew I would carry the weight of my mother’s absence and my uncle’s decisions with me for a long time, but I also und