Early Morning Cup of Joe

I received an email from my wife this morning

I just wanted to say thanks for talking with my mom. She was really happy to hear your voice. I imagine that you are eager to hear from the kids, however they don’t feel like they can talk freely to you. They are scared that if they speak freely, that you will become mad at them and then they won’t get their presents from you.

Placing guilt on them for not calling you, or writing to you is not OK. They have gone through so much and the last thing they want to do is hurt you. We all love you very much, but they were very sad that I did not receive a letter from you. They also were very sad after I read one of your emails and couldn’t keep my emotions in.

I do hope you are doing well…I have to get back to work. I am on my lunch brake. Anyways, take care, God bless.

I am bereft of words and I don’t even know how to process this. I thought it was best not to respond to her because every word in the email is a distortion of the truth. It’s like being cross examined in  a court and the only answer you can give is a ‘Yea’ or a ‘No’ but you have a 100 ‘buts’ trailing after each answer, but no one wants to hear that.