From Me to Me

Dear FutureMe, I've kicked out my brother this week and sent him, before Christmas, back on a plane to Illinois. What do I hope this e-mail finds? That I'm still as strong and able to advocate myself the way I couldn't before. I'm proud of myself. I'm glad that he, and anyone else that wants to hurt me, will be away from me. I'm glad I'm learning how to protect myself. Will this e-mail find him back in my life? I can't even make a wish about it. I just want it to be done one way or another. Will he apologize? I'm curious if he will, or if he'll continue to pretend that he's right and I deserve it. I hope that if I've worked out my issues with him, that it means that I'll be able to act towards my son the way I'd like to. That I'll stop worrying that he reminds me of my brother and start acting like he's just a little boy who is bound to make mistakes sometimes. It won't necessarily make him abusive like my brother is. We've come a long way, that sweet little boy and I. I hope that when I get this e-mail, I won't have forgotten the hard earned lessons of this time. The New Me