Recently, I've been considering a letter to my parents. They're "getting on in years" and could make their transition anytime. The question for me is what unfinished business do I have with them? Or what can we still complete? Although the love between us has consistently been there, my contemplation brought me to a deeper understanding of our relationship and several related, more global issues. Life has brought me to a place where I can more deeply understand our "generation gap."

It occurred to me that perhaps before they pass on they might appreciate a bit of insight into their relationships with my siblings and me. Opening such a conversation might also help me understand how they view our family dynamics and degree of closeness and sharing. Plus, it might serve to bring us closer. The position that I have the most passion for discussing with them has to do with the constraints (and potential) in our communication. It seems to me that our communication has been rather superficial, especially in comparison with the conversations I have with friends and colleagues. It's not that I expect any major change to take place, yet I do believe that some healing may occur simply from discussing what is. My parents and I (and it's the same for my siblings) will occasionally speak with seriousness about each other and our well being, and refer sincerely, yet simplistically to our common love of God. We pretty much avoid talking at length about the world or issues of politics, education, society, religion, etc. Sports and weather are acceptable topics. Because my path of Sacred Tantra has led me to a deep desire to understand intimacy and spiritual philosophy, I began to question the cause of this superficiality inherent in my conversations with my parents about life...