@Ë[ cfm\ dld Yp dp j`[\

THE last time I saw my mum was in 2010 and she was screaming: “Never darken my door again.”

She was angry with me for turning up on her birthday while drunk and off my head on drugs.

I had promised her I would put on a nice suit, buy her a card and be the son she wanted me to be.

Instead, I went on a three-day bender before her party and disgraced myself by being sick in front of her guests.

Now I’m a different man. I’ve cleaned up my act, I’m in a relationship and I’m working hard. Sometimes I drive past my parents’ house but I struggle to pluck up the courage to see if they’re in.

I’d love to apologise, introduce my partner and tell them about the person I have become.

Mum is a tough nut and could quite easily tell me to get lost. How should I proceed?

JANE SAYS: Have you thought of doing things the old-fashioned way and simply writing to your mother?

Perhaps if you told her everything you have told me – that you are now sober, stable and working – then she’ll agree to meet in a neutral location for a chat?

Ultimately, she has to hear that you are very sorry for the way you behaved in the past and are a changed person.

I suspect your mother thinks about you every day. You’re still her son and time can be a great healer.

It could be that she looks back and wishes she had done things differently too.

If your first letter doesn’t work, then give her time and try again. Keep things respectful, adult and calm.

It’s fantastic that you’re clean and sober, and you should be very proud.