Simon, i'm the "different" one in my family. i left for college at 16 and didn't really go back for any length of time for 40 years. it is very hard when one's family judges and laughs at us. it's even harder when we know that we have depth and character and that we are good people.......and it isn't acknowledged by the very people we came from.

i don't know what the answer is to your problem, but i do know this..you are a very good person. you're a strong young man and i know you're gonna find a way out of this. i know that. it's going to take some doing and perserverance and perhaps some deprivation, but it will be worth it, to get to be your own person.

your sister and her friends aren't worth worrying about. going out and getting wasted is really a BIG deal???? no way. staying hom and staying sober is a big deal. too bad they haven't learned that.

this will pass and you'll be free. you're too much of a kind and loving spirit to not fly........i know that........love you, pat