It tickles me to read about children who had tumultuous relationships with a parent and then have turned it around. As parents, we grow as we age. We mellow and begin to see what is truly important. So I understand that he has come a long way to become the dad he is today.

What I believe is particularly precious is the woman you've become. You accept your dad for who he is today without reminding him all the time of all the angst of your youth. I have found it difficult for children to forgive and grow past old hurts because they cut so deep. To be able to do that without regret or resentment, leaving the man he was and loving the man he's become, is very forgiving, very mature, and very healthy.

Yes, I said healthy. Remember that if and when you make that appointment with a shrink.

Geez.