Thank you Lynn. Your kids are very lucky to have such a loving and caring mother. I bet they feel safe with you around-- that's something some of us never got to feel around our mothers. It must be so freeing for them-- to know their mother is there to lean on.

I'm so sorry you know what it's like to have to be in fear from a family member
I was assaulted by a brother in-law when I was 15-- I so understand that fear. I couldn't leave from him, as my dad had just dropped me off there to babysit and dad drove away and left me there-- alone -- without checking to see if my sister was there(she wasn't)

I don't know-- I struggle with the idea of -- "what could I have done better" in most of the traumatic situations I've been in. ...
feels like I'm reaching for a rope that's falling fast from the light to the darkness-- but I can't grasp it. I so don't wish to be considered "stupid".

thank you for your kind words.

fins