</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
mlyn said:
need to talk. i know we are not around all that often anymore but guess taking a chance. our little brother 1 year younger is getting out of prison sept. 25th yes for felony of child sexual abuse.
I tried so hard to protect him when we were growing up I could not.
do not like what he did.
he depends on us for when he gets out
yuk yuk yik
so confused

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post"> that does sound confusing to think one could have protected their sibling from the horrors of growing up. you did what you were able to do given that you too were surviving the best you could in those times. please be gentle when thinking back to that. you were a child. you could only do so much.

being nice does not mean you have to like what he did. being nice does not mean you have to put his needs before yours. being nice means being honest with how you feel about what he did......even if he survived similar horrors growing up he ended up in the criminal justice system. it isn't for you to wonder what would have happened if he got help or if he didn't offend or what if what if what ifs???? just not that useful at this time.

how about some ground rules for what you are willing and able to do for your brother after his release? you say he will depend upon you after release...does that mean financially? housing? what exactly?

tossing out some practicals that could help if addressed.

you never have to like what happened. you only have to do what is safe for yourself/ves. answer to you sweetie. take care of you. keep all of you safe so that you can be of some help to your brother later this month that is if you choose to help him. it is a choice and it is your choice.

this doesn't sound easy. we wish you continued strength for this month and beyond.