Wow, I am surprised at what went on in the time I have been away from here. WI, I am glad that you went on from this & have plans for adoption the beautiful black Lab in the photo. Looks like a wonderful family companion.......a friend for life......with all the unconditional love that I have found all dogs to have. A new member of the family like that is a great way to focus your attention on.

This situation is definitely a trigger for what I just went through about 1 year ago when my mother was dying of cancer. I know how horrible it is to give out too much personal information & have it turned on you, causing grief beyond anything that could be imagined.

In real life, I had this happen when my Mothe's boyfriend was from her church, & his daughter was invited into our family's relationship. She invited me to stay with her when my Mother was in the hospital....chatting, I let out information about my life after I ended up in my deep depression. I have no idea how much my Mother had told her father, but the daughter invited a RN friend of hers that lived across the street from her father (my mothers boyfriend) to talk to me & provide my mother with home care nursing so she wouldn't have to be put into a nursing home. When I caught the RN pulling ID theft using my mothers ID & then she had the police called to have me accused of abusing my Mother, I ended up filling a report with Adult Protective Services, they suggested that I tell the boyfriend & his daughter about what happened. They denied it & wouldn't listen, then the daughter proceeded on telling my Mother's pastor about the information that I had opened up with. Soon after that, I got a threat from the pastor to back off on the filling against the RN or "my past will come back to haunt me". I didn't let that stop me, but those words are stuck in my mind. Since then, I do not share much of my past with anyone, isolating myself pretty much & making sure that nothing about my past comes out anymore.

It is scarry not knowing what information people can take & use against us when we are least expecting anything, & especially in a situation that doesn't seem like it would even matter to anyone else. It is hard to realize that we can't be open & that we have to guard every word that we say or write in order to protect ourselves.

I am so sorry this happened to you, & in this community which is supposed to be very supportive. I am very glad that you and your kids are able to get past this & on with your family life, making the best that you can from the situation you were put into. I wish you the best with your new puppy dog, & your love is just what this new doggy is in need of too.

My best thoughts are with you & your family, Hugz,
Debbie