Becky Kennedy

Well, imagine right after this, you get a call from one of your parents.

And if neither of your parents are alive, imagine finding and opening a letter you hadn't seen until that moment.

Okay, walk through this with me.

Here's the call.

Hey, I know this sounds out of the blue, but I've been thinking a lot about your childhood.

And I think there were a lot of moments that felt really bad to you.

And you were right to feel that way.

Those moments weren't your fault.

They were times when I was struggling, and if I could have gone back, I would have stepped aside.

I would have calmed myself down and then found you to help you with whatever you were struggling with.

I'm sorry.

And if you're ever willing to talk to me about any of those moments, I'll listen.

I won't listen to have a rebuttal.

I'll listen to understand.

I love you.

I don't know many adults who don't have a fairly visceral reaction to that exercise.

I often hear,

Why am I crying?"

Or, listen, that wouldn't change everything, but it might change some things.

Well, I definitely do not special in math, but here's something I know with certainty.