Response:

I agree with you that in trying to understand how and why people make decisions that seem foreign to our point of view, it is important to recognize that they are making choices according to their limited understanding at that time. And I don’t believe trying to determine what was “right” or “wrong” in those past actions is very helpful in moving forward with our lives. But one thing that I think your sister is trying to convey in her own way is that your mother’s actions while you were growing up, nevertheless had their very real consequences, and those consequences have to be faced squarely. If your mother’s drug habit and choice of partners left your sister feeling neglected, unsafe and frightened, then she knows she still has some healing to do to get better, and simply saying it was what your mom felt was right at the time, doesn’t really help her understand her pain. You may have come to a good place in your relationship with your mom now, but try to understand your sister has a different journey and experience and honor that. In time she may come to a place of greater forgiveness and acceptance once she has healed more of her own hurt.

Love,

Deepak