Is Mary Forsberg Weiland being honest with herself?

And now, for today’s “yes, but” story.

In an open letter, the late Scott Weiland’s ex-wife talks at length about the loss the couple’s children face and she lingers on how hard she worked to save him, even after they split.

I couldn’t agree more with every word she says. Seriously. And I feel for her having to raise two children who will never know what it is to have a healthy dad. My father drank himself to death – literally – and even in the best of times was little more than a guy I knew who’d take me somewhere like the rodeo every once in awhile. And on more occasions than one, to bars. When I was 15. When I was 5.

But. She married Scott in 2000, which was several years after his drug issues started. She had two kids with a guy whose demons were well established. I’m not blaming any victims, I’m not piling on and I don’t want to let Weiland off the hook. But dammit, you knew what you were marrying, didn’t you, Mary?

What happened there? Does that matter at all?

It’s probably mean-spirited and dumb of me to expect anything past what this letter addresses at this point in time, when 15 years of anguish – for herself, for her children, for a brilliant, doomed man she clearly loved – are likely shredding her inside.

But there’s more there, I’m guessing. Lots more. Her comments on the role the industry, the media and fans played in this tragedy (“the last day he could be propped up in front of a microphone for the financial benefit or enjoyment of others”) make clear that she’s a thoughtful and articulate woman. I hope that, a few years down the road, she’ll revisit the relationship. I’d be interested in what she concludes once she gets a little distance from the trauma.

Take care of the kids, Mary, and of yourself. And when you’re ready to write the book, I’m ready to read it.