My whole life would have been different if I had been raised by my aunts. They were always so kind to me.

Things were so different when I was with them...there was laughter, joy, and a warmth that I see now was their love for me. They did so many things to support me and make me stronger. They gave me books to read like Tale of Two Cities and Tarzan, encouraged me to court young ladies. My father seemed to do everything he could to undermine and belittle me. He always told me I was weak and needed protection from the world....and ridiculed me around other people.

But they were afraid of my father, he could be violent...but only with women and defenseless animals, of course.

It is nice to imagine what our lives would have been if we had been raised by our aunts.

Maybe try focusing on your aunt, then? My mother was neglectful, very angry and emotionally abusive. Idk, when I get worked up about that stuff, I just try to keep my mind busy. Distraction, breathe, distraction. So much easier said then done, but with every bit of success, you gain knowledge and strength to face the next battle.

Tears are a part of the healing process, in my mind. It hurts when the nightmares hit, but let the tears help make your heart a little less heavy, if only for a moment. Gentle hugs and best wishes.

I HATE the movie momest dearest cause it reminds me of how I was raised--it brings up too many memories when I even hear the title.



ladydi1961

My heart goes out to all of you!

I feel for you, my main abuser was always my mom, too. I really wish I lived in a society that validated emotional/psychological abuse. Damn cops would always come and go without helping at all.

I have nights and days when I wake up crying for my Mom, who was not the abuser, who was a genuine loving, caring earth mother, kind, understanding compassionate.....I'm sorry your mother wasn't. Can you talk to your Aunt Kathy? I don't know your story, but I wish you well. I'm sending good thoughts.

Thank you. I'm sorry if I upset people. But that's the only way I know how to describe her abusiveness. No, I can't talk to Aunt Kathy. She died 9 yrs ago