I see improvements from both my husb. and I. I hope it's lasting improvements. Thanks for the compliment anthony. Assertivenss, I'm truly, truly seeing some of this in me. A lot more than before, for the time being, though I know things may change quickly.

Hannah I found your response Validating and much appreciated.

And elvis, unless your mom absolutely loves Elvis P., Country music, and an enorm. selection of other old'time music, than she can't be the same mom. LOL Only kidding with you elvis.

I'm sorry you can identify so well with this description fittin to your mom, too, bc my mom was a hell'a'va sick woman, and what made it most difficult for me was that my memory of her was of a very special, lovely woman and it was as if it was like branded in my mind and deeply etched in my soul, and once upon a time I loved her so much, and I wanted her to continue to love me.....but when I was still quite young, something happened (Who knows what?) and ALL her love for me was GONE. Like nowhere to be seen again and replaced with fear, resentment, jealousy, her agonizing self-pity, anger and hatred..and yet I couldn't get those lovely images of her out of my mind. These images and my sweet longing for the return of the mother I once thought I knew, sometimes has driven me right back for more abuse and/or neglect.