Dear Mario (Open Letter to Mario Dewar Barrett )

Dear Mario,

I first want to say that I hope you are in good health, and a good peace of mind. I have read in blogs and news sections about the events that transpired between you and your mother. Of course the media is making it seem worser than what it really is, because that is what they get paid to do. But I am writing this letter to you, to let you know that you are not alone. I don't care what the fans have to say, I don't care what the media have to say, I understand what you are going through because I have went through the same thing. My mother has been on drugs for over half my life and I am twenty six years old. She recently got clean in late 2007. The only difference between me and you is the fact that my mother is now clean, and yours is not.
  I have contributed money towards my mother's rehabs, drug clinics, rehab shelters, bail money, etc. My mother has stolen not only money from me, but sentimental items that I cherished to my heart. She stole my puppy pitbull when I was fifteen years old and sold him for five dollars just to get a quick hit. My grandmother had took me and my siblings shopping and on Christmas Day my mother and her boyfriend picked up our gifts and left. Needless to say we didn't have Christmas that day, not the materialistic part rather. Through the years, I burned with anger towards my mother, because even after I was an adult and I continously tried to help her, she still betrayed me. Sins of the mother makes you wanna holler doesn't it?
   I was starting to hate her, I mean a deep penetrating hate all the way to the depths of my soul. So I had to cut off communication with her. When someone is sick and tired, I mean really sick and tired they will stop and get themselves together. I am not going to say that I am a fan of your music, you are very talented, but I really admired the fact that you have stood by your mother through every thing. I really admired the fact that you have started an organization for children of addicts, because these circumstances effect the child in a tremendous way even past adulthood.
  You and your mother are in my prayers, I am praying for you both, that she gets well and that you can overcome this and find it in your heart to forgive her. Do not pay attention to the media, twitter, or other social networks that like to bash celebrities as if they have walked a mile or two in your shoes. But this letter is coming from someone who has not exactly walked in your shoes, but lets just say we have walked the same mile.
 Much Peace, Blessings, and Love

Tanisha M. Monroe