Compassion without Acceptance

“I regret
not having hugged you last night.”
she said.

“Regret
is too strong an emotion.
I don’t want you
to feel it.”
responded her mother.

“But it’s what I feel,
why can’t you accept it?”
she asked
mildly protesting.

“I just don’t want you to feel that.”
responded her mother.

“But I feel it.
I feel it.
I feel regret.
It’s what I feel.”
she responded.

“I just want what’s best for you.
I want you to feel better.”
responded her mother.

“I just want you
to accept me.”
she responded.