Cleaning out my closet brought back a memory I needed to apologize for.

I found an old photo of me and my cousin from a family picnic years ago, and it hit me how we stopped talking after I messed up a joke that hurt her feelings. I sat down and wrote a full page saying I was wrong and that I missed our bond, but I never gave it to her because I thought too much time had passed. It's been sitting in my drawer for months now, and I keep adding little notes to it when I feel bad. I remember how we used to laugh all the time, and now it's just quiet between us. Writing it down helped me see how silly the fight was, but also how hard it is to fix things. I guess I'm scared she won't care anymore, so the letter stays with me. Maybe just writing it was a start, but it still feels unfinished.

4 comments

4 Comments

dakotab932mo ago

Man, that photo and the letter sitting in your drawer really hit home. It's crazy how a small moment can stick with you for years, and you end up with a whole weird guilt drawer. Maybe sending it, even now, would lift that weight? The letter isn't useless if it helped you see things clearly.

laura_schmidt822mo ago

Ever think about what would happen if you actually mailed that letter after all this time? @dakotab93 really nailed it with the 'guilt drawer' idea. I have one too, full of old notes and pictures that just STARE at me. Sometimes just writing it down is a huge relief, even if you never send it.

allen.kai2mo ago

My guilt drawer is so full it has its own zip code. I'm pretty sure some of those old notes have started judging me.

jamie9402mo ago

My friend Sarah finally mailed a ten-year-old apology letter after reading @dakotab93's post.