It's terrible when our dreams are shattered. I'm sorry that your family life was so terrible. I know that it's hard growing up like that. Growing up for me was confusing. Like up until the time my parents separated and divorced, my family was much like your first story. Then my mom took me away from my dad into a world full of drug addicts, alcoholics, abuse, fighting, you name it, it was present. I hated it. Actually, when she took me away from my perfect father, my perfect life, I had not known what pain was, what hurt was, what violence was. I hate her for that. But, life goes on and I learned how to survive in that violent life...hiding from it all. I hid everytime there was a fight or loud noises or any of that. I guess you could say I'm still hiding.

I just wanted to tell you to hang in there. You are a good person and you deserve all the love of the world and all the kindness that anyone can possibly give.