TO BEGIN:

I have never been a believer in revenge. I don’t think “getting even” with someone, can ever erase the pain or hurt they have caused you. In addition, how can you move forward or heal, when you are still allowing that individual to take up mental and physical space/energy in your life?

I would also like to make it clear that I am someone who strongly values and respects her elders ( LOVE YOU GLAMA, GRAHMI, GLAMPA, AND POPPI!).

However, my paternal grandmother (biology’s label for her, not mine) is the exception to this rule, and so, is the shining star of my post this week.

A quick apology to my family right now- that might be cringing in their seats, afraid to read further... Y'all, what kind of writer would I be, if I continued to avoid any controversy?!

A lame one.

So, with Halloween approaching, I couldn’t help but wonder this week what my favorite evil witch was up to! I thought about sending her a card... but, I didn't want to waste the postage :(

SOOOOO... I wrote her this.

Dearest Nana and Papa,

First off, Happy Halloween to the two ghosts we never see!

I was curious as to what your plans for the holiday are? What are you going to dress up as this year Nana?! I know every day you portray a witch (and not the cool magical awesome kind), but maybe you could be something different this year.

To help you out, I came up with the perfect costume --Yzma from the 2000 Disney Classic, "The Emperor's New Groove." Yzma is one of my favorite villains. Despite being more animated and funny, the two of you hold plenty of commonalities.

1. Yzma believes she is the most beautiful person in the land, despite her obvious age, and the fact that everyone is scared to go near her!

2. She raised the main character Kuzco, but decides to try and kill him after he fires her for meddling in his affairs.(Similar mothering techniques perhaps?)

3. Other people's suffering or problems, doesn't really concern Yzma.

4. And this may be because she believes she is the one who has it the worst off.

5. Despite all efforts to make peace or show her love... she simply doesn't care.

So , I guess you could say I'm not happy about this part of my life.

But I do believe that those who hurt us, can also teach us some things:

I have learned to love without conditions: to give without expectations.

I have learned that family is not defined by our genes, but rather built and maintained through a love and respect for one another.

I have learned to forgive because it takes too much darn energy to stay angry.

I have learned to accept that not everyone is capable of change, and that's okay.

I have learned to become the type of person, that at the end of the day, I am proud of.

So through hurt, upset, disappointment, and anger, we can reach a place of acceptance and forgiveness. Or, maybe, just letting go a little more of that pain and that person each day.

Sending peace, love, light, and the ability to find humor in the sadness your way,

-e.e