A mother

He was technically my step-brother, although I'd only seen him a handful of times. I saw his name and picture in the local newspaper--reporting him missing, and I dreaded the news that would follow--news that seemed inevitable.

We got the news today.

It has always been difficult for me to feel empathy for his mother--until now. It was easy to make her a scapegoat--the villain in the story of our family falling apart. It wasn't her fault. I always knew that, but I didn't know her, so it was much easier to hate her.

Now I see her for who she is: A mother grieving her son's death.

It must be the worst pain there is.

My heart aches and my hands shake today.

A pain that's unimaginable.