I always think that my parents both made a lot of mistakes when I was little that deeply scarred me...but I honestly believe that none of it was intentional (misguided, but not malicious), and these days they are much better. So, I want a relationship with them, BUT how can I really forgive and not blame them for the way they treated me and all the problems I have now as a result? I mean, how can you really have a healthy, genuine relationship with a mother who kicked you out of the house at age thirteen and a father who spent your teenage years ignoring you in favor of his new wife when you needed him most after this huge, crushing abandonment? Can you really just move on from something like that?

I know that's what therapy is about, and I think I CAN forgive them and have a healthy relationship with them. I think my relationship with them is pretty good now. I guess sometimes I just wonder if I SHOULD. Especially because I know that especially when I'm with my mother, 99% of what comes out of my mouth is tailored to what I think she wants to hear, because I don't want to uncover old wounds and ruin our relationship again.

It's complicated.