Memories can become a lifeline after a loss.

This widowed mother lovingly left behind her late husband’s love letters.

But after a sitter “accidentally” erased these irreplaceable memories, she struggles to find closure – or forgiveness.

You’ll want to read on for this one.

AITA for needing more time to sort out how I feel about the babysitter erasing a love note from my late husband?

My late husband (would be 44M) and I (43F) used to leave each other notes in dry erase marker on the mirror and and on the counter by the coffee maker.

When he passed away (3 years ago) I put tape over his notes to preserve them. Seemingly forever.

She trusted a caregiver to help and made sure she knew not to touch the notes.

Having three young children, I hired a babysitter to help out.

She’s been with us for a year and one of the first things I pointed out was the notes.

But one day, that trust was broken.

The other day, she removed the tape and wiped away the notes, stating she wasn’t thinking and was just trying to help clean up what she thought was something the kids did.

It said “forever my girl.”

The mother reacts surprisingly well, telling the babysitter she needs space.

Being rather upset, but also open to the idea that it has been three years, maybe it’s time to to remove the notes, I told her I needed space to figure things out.

I’m leaning towards asking her not to come back because I can’t get over it.

Still, she wonders if this was really an “accident”

It seems intentional on some level, but that may just be my hurt talking.

Even if it’s a lapse in judgement, I wanted to be the one to take it off when ready.

Trust and forgiveness are not coming easy, and she wonders if she’s wrong to still resent her for her mistake.

It’s been two days and I’m still not ready to have her back yet she keeps asking if she can work.

AITA for wanting to say no or for wanting to say I can’t move past this?

This feels way more like a betrayal than an accident.

What did Reddit think?

There’s just too much that doesn’t line up for this redditor.

The mother explicitly pointing the notes out and the tape should have been two huge safeguards.

This commenter wonders how someone could absentmindedly remove tape.

This commenter isn’t buying the babysitters excuses on any level.

Ultimately, what was wiped away wasn’t just a message, but a piece of her heart she wasn’t ready to let go of yet.

Some things you just can’t erase.

If you enjoyed that story, read this one about a mom who was forced to bring her three kids with her to apply for government benefits, but ended up getting the job of her dreams.