My daughter was never close to my mother. Now, it's too late, and I feel guilty.

• I rarely invited my mother to holidays or parties because she lived far away. • That meant my daughter never really got to know her grandmother, and I feel guilty. • My mom died recently, and I now realize my mistake, knowing relationships need to be nurtured.

I made choices that widened the distance between my mom and my daughter.

My daughter's mom died when she was just 3 years and 5 months old in January 2001. When I remarried a year and a half later in July 2002, my wife's family became the center of all family gatherings. Since they lived closer than my mom, my daughter naturally gravitated more toward her stepmom's side. Over the years, holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions leaned in that direction.

It's not that there wasn't love. My mom loved her granddaughter,