nml & 3,

You are both in good company around here; many of us were abused by the people who were supposed to be our protectors - our mothers. Sucks, doesn't it? However, we are survivors!

My mother is no longer around, as she died in 1992. Sick as it sounds, it was the happiest day of my life (and the most liberating). She and I never had a good relationship and the last 5 months of her life we didn't speak to or see each other. I had to break off the relationship for my own mental well-being. It was so hard, but it was such an important thing for me to do. Now, though, I not only get mad at her for what she did but also for her dying because she took away my opportunity to confront her. <sigh> Oh well. Life goes on. Life's a bitch and then she dies...literally.

My therapist put a new light on her a few weeks ago. After listening to me talk about her, he asked me if she had a thing about other women, being threatened by them. This was an angle that had never crossed my mind, but it made so much sense (I wrote about it in a previous post if you want to read it).

And Nancy, I think it's great that you have such a wonderful support group to do things with. Truth be told, this place is probably the best support group around!