Open+letter+to+my+mother

=Dear Mother,= I don't see you anymore Mom. Whenever I ask where you are, it is always the same response. Remember when we would have "Special Times"? Remember when you would take me to the mall and buy me a pretzel from Auntie Anne's? I miss that Mom. I miss you scratching my head while we watched T.V. I miss the foot rubs i gave you after your double shifts at the hospital. I miss what we had. Something has come between us these past years. That something is poker. It isn't all you Mom. I know that I haven't been the best son. I admit that. When I got into high school, my personality changed. I distanced myself from the family, feeling like i knew everything and I didn't need you or Dad. I went through that phase and it hurt you. I am sorry for that. Then there's you and Dad. I can not recall the last time I saw you and Dad show any signs of affection, a kiss on the cheek, holding hands. I know that you two have your reasons for not being affectionate. I know that you had reasons to leave at one point, but you didn't. You stayed for us, the kids, and I have no idea the sacrifice that took. That took courage I'll never have. You are a wonderful woman Mom, but I think in the past few years, you have found something that gets you away from your problems in a negative way. I remember the first time you ever played Texas Hold 'Em. Dad was the one that suggested you learn. I remember the light in your eyes when you learned the rules. You always had a brilliant mind. This game presented a new challenge. You started to play the game consistently. You started playing it online for fake money. This hobby became an obsession. I would come home to you playing poker online, first once, then twice, three times, and four times a week. Then you played every night. The family started to talk. It wasn't enough over time though. You started to gamble with real money. You played more and more and you lost more and more. It was becoming an issue. Dad confronted you about it first. You pled that you were winning and it was none of our business. This was the first appearance of denial. Online poker, like a gateway drug, eventually wasn't enough to satisfy you. You started going to new casinos and to private basement held games. You got a whole new group of friends. They were base people, criminals, convicts, and morally bankrupt characters. You stopped attending church. Before poker, you were one of the most religious people I'd met. It was hard to get up on a Sunday morning right after a Saturday night game. You lost your religion. You lost your way. More than once, you would forget my basketball games or track meets. By the time I was a senior, I didn't expect you at any of my activities. I always had a confidence problem. I was never the best at any of the sports I was in, but before then, I had the support of my family. Once I lost you, I lost confidence. Instead of watching or paying attention to the game, I was constantly looking in the stands for you to show up. I was constantly met with disappointment. Now, you constantly come home at 3 and 4 in the morning. Then, you get up and go into work at 8:30. You work through the day, prescribing medicine and diagnosing people with diseases on 4 hours of sleep. You took an oath to, to the best of your ability, care for and pay attention to your patients. You are taking the chance of malpractice with your new lifestyle. You love being a nurse Mom. You put so much of your life into being a nurse. I remember how proud your were when you went back to school and got your nurse practitioner's license. You worked so hard for something that you are putting in jeopardy with your poker playing. Then there's you and Dad. You two are always fighting. The fights now are becoming more frequent and more heated. Before I left for college I, a grown man, would go to my room and hide from the yelling like a child. I hate how you two are at each others' throats about money and where its going. The denial has gotten to its worst. You fail to see that we don't have enough money to pay the bills, month after month, because the money is squandered in smoky basements or under the shimmering casino lights. The bills stack up and the money disappears. You and Dad fight now more than you talk. You have to keep your encounters to brisk phone conversations. The times you and Dad are together seem to be tense, waiting for the imminent argument. Dad feels like he is being used. You feel like everyone is out to get you. The kids, including me, just want this all to stop. All of this because gambling. Everything is good in moderation, but what your doing is obsessive. The hobby of gambling has become your second life. It is hard for anyone to admit they have a problem, let alone an addiction. Mom I'm asking you as your son, as the little boy who built forts in your room, the little boy that rubbed your feet after that hard day at work, and as the man i am becoming, to open your eyes to what has happened. Your family, your job, your financial well-being have all been put on the back burner for your addiction. You have forgotten that you have three sons, a daughter, and a husband that love you. I know that it is hard for anyone to quit something they feel like they need. I'm asking you to come back to us Mom. I'm asking you to quit playing poker.

Statement of purpose: To confront my mother about her addiction to gambling and show her the grip it has on her life

Audience: Anyone

Purpose: To show my mother how her gambling has hurt me.

Response: To show people that addiction does hurt the loved ones of the sufferer

Keegan

the occasion is his mother's gambling addiction which is mentioned early in the first paragraph of the letter. "your gambling addiction has hurt the family . . "

He is trying to persuade his mother out of her addictive lifestyle. I felt that he was establishing a sincere and more aggressive/blunt response. The use of "hurting" "more than you know" "no one wants to tell you the truth; I'll tell you the truth" In general lots of "You" messages. I would consider saying things like "I feel like" or "I've noticed" as opposed to immediately pointing out flaws.

I think the letter is very impactive. I think it sends a strong and blunt message to his mother. I think in order to help persuade her, consider being a little more passive, and include examples. Perhaps being so blunt could turn her off and trigger anger. It is a very powerful message concerning a serious topic, I would look at this as your shot to speak with her; avoid turning her off. I would write this letter in a less angry manner, and in a more concerned manner.

The tone is very strong. He is very to-the-point. He mentions how she stopped going to his sports, which is a direct effect on him. I'd elaborate on things that he misses out on like that more. The letter shows a strong grudge, and it is a very powerful message. I think his mother will understand how it has affected the family for sure. I think he gave many reasons why he wants her to change, but I would try to show her why she should change for her own benefits as well.

I know you have more to write, if you need any help on wording things at all let me know.