Justin Bieber and his mom Pattie Mallette were incredibly close throughout the singer’s lifetime–until the past year or so, anyway.

Mallette fostered his love of music, his deep Christian faith, and raised him for years as a single mom.

So what happened between Justin Bieber and his mom?

Justin Bieber says his relationship with mom Pattie Mallette has been "pretty nonexisting": https://t.co/u8RwnAOgli pic.twitter.com/dA3GLc3g9G

— Us Weekly (@usweekly) November 6, 2015

In a recent interview with Billboard magazine, Justin Bieber calls their relationship “pretty nonexisting.”

As is typical of a more thoughtful and mature Justin Bieber, he willingly takes the blame for the estrangement.

“I was distant because I was ashamed. I never wanted my mom to be disappointed in me and I knew she was. We spent some time not talking, so it takes time to rebuild that trust,” he tells Billboard.

On a positive note, it sounds like Justin Bieber is taking the steps necessary to close the divide he created.

“She’s living in Hawaii now, so it’s hard, but getting better,” he says.

Justin certainly understands the damage his past behavior has done. Unfortunately it cost him his relationship with Selena Gomez and caused a huge divide between him and his mom. It also cost him many fans, and he is working hard these days, with new behavior and amazing new music, to rebuild his career.

Having observed Pattie Mallette with Justin in the past, it’s likely she will accept his newfound humility–but probably in small doses.

There is nothing more painful for a mom than pain inflicted from the hands of a child.

Pattie Mallette is already impressed with Justin’s admission of their estrangement, and the acknowledgment that he is to blame.

It takes a lot to admit our mistakes, actually OWN them & apologize ANY TIME @justinbieber! Especially to the whole world. #manmove #cheers

— Pattie Mallette (@pattiemallette) October 31, 2015

Justin Bieber has always seemed like a good kid at heart. He had too much money and not enough control at a young age. He didn’t act any worse than many kids his age would have, given similar circumstances.

Justin Bieber’s strong faith and deep love of his mom will surely urge him forward a step at a time, until his relationship with Pattie Mallette is back to where it once was–maybe even better.