Moments of truth.

[My mother] doted on my siblings and treated me shamefully, yet I was the one who rose up and met her needs in the last year and a half of her life as cancer took her down. A few months prior to her death, my mother took my hand and said, I need to ask you for your forgiveness. When I asked for what, she answered, "For never once, in your entire life, treating you with one shred of Christ's love or Christ's grace. I've struggled with this for several days, and God will not give me any peace until it is said." She had tears in her eyes, I did not. I took her hand in mine and told her of course I forgave her. I felt no sense of jubilation, only a deep, deep sense of compassion plus abiding peace. I consider it my privilege and my very good gift that I was the one to tend to her in her time of greatest need. Christ's ways are the only way to true life and true peace.

"A Free-Spirited Wanderer. Who Set Obama’s Path." Polaris, Reply 46, Lucianne.com, 3/14/08.