It's Thanksgiving and I am pretty much by myself... watching football, having cheese, crackers, celery and carrots. I've read every post on this tread... I have been able to relate to many of you... and also I sat here and laughed hard out loud at many of the posts .....TishaBuv you said: My mother hasn't been all bad. Actually, she has been mostly good. She is the most clever and funny person I have ever known at times.
Many of your posts were hilarious! Your mom must of given you that sense of humor. Keep yourself from the toxic... and the guilt.... keep the humor

As my dad was dying (we were estranged) my counselor and I talked about some of the things I loved about him. It does not take away all the bad... but I no longer wallow in it.

BTW - I'm just fine doing my own thing on Holidays - took awhile but sure glad I got to this point.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you - in what matters most to you.