Letter Of Apology

While waiting to pass the time during an appointment today, I became engaged in a discussion with a stranger about my pregnancy.  Stranger became morally offended by my choice to VBAC and go through labor, taking a good 3-4 minutes to tell me how crazy I was to put myself through the pain and risk associated with it.

I honestly must say... I felt so guilty from her comments that I came home and cried.  Then, I decided I need a letter to hand out whenever I offend someone with one of my choices.  I tried to adapt it the best I could to suit not only my life, but anyone else who may have ever offend someone on accident, and wished to apologize for their behavior.  Obviously, I couldn't include all the situations we come across on a daily basis that might offend someone else, but I've covered a few that I've seen happen frequently, as well as the personal choices I've made that have offended various parties.

Fill in the blanks with your appropriate selections.
_________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Person I Offended,

I want to express my condolences.  I had no idea my _____________________ would cause you so much inner turmoil and distraught.  Please accept my sincere apologies, I did not mean to upset you.

Breastfeeding Bottle Feeding Baby Wearing Cloth Diapering Disposable Diapering Sitting baby in the cart sitting baby in a car seat in the cart Attachment parenting Co-sleeping Staying at home Choosing to work ________________

using a doula having an epidural natural childbirth planned c-section planned induction unplanned c-section unplanned induction successful VBAC VBAC attempt Home Birth Hospital Birth Birthing Center Birth ________________

Christianity Atheism Other Religious Choice Heterosexualism Bisexualism Homosexualism Polyamory Bromance Clothing Republican Democratic  Liberal ________________

I understand how trying and frustrating it is to walk around in a world where the minor personal choices of others affect us so much.  I truly sympathize, and I hope that by you expressing your opinions and concerns, people will come to understand how they must change their lives to suit your needs.  To think that anyone else has opinions or desires about their choices... some nerve.

When I decided to (use same selection as above), I never realized it would cause so much strife.  But now that you have kindly taken the time to point out the error of my ways, I promise to go home and change my behavior as soon as I'm done handing you this note.

I'm so glad you called me out.  I'm sure that when you were in a similar ______ as I am now that you also appreciated it when people took the time to point out the insanity of your choices.

Age Group Social class Economic Situation Residence Point in existence

Thanks again, and have an AWESOME DAY!!!

Sincerely, _________________________

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Please feel free to use this and adapt it to any situation where you find your choices have affected another human so much, they just had to call you on it.  We should be apologizing, because Heaven knows that none of us are different, or come from different backgrounds, or life circumstances.  Nor do we have different thoughts or opinions about life, or experiences that color those opinions.