Hi, it's really awful what you went through... That really sucks that you had to live with all of those people and grow up with a family like that. It's great to see how strong you are and not becoming like your family, and your outlook seems really healthy.

When I grew up, I also had to distance myself from my family for a long while. I was too weak to handle them or anything bad they might throw at me. Plus, why would I deal with it if I didn't have to? They were taking care of themselves fine. Thankfully, family members of mine weren't being sexually abused, otherwise I'd do what I could to get them out of that situation, or at least let them know I was there for them.

It seemed that once I broke free of my family and past, bad things did keep happening to me over and over. And right when everything seemed to almost crash down, something would come along to make everything right again.

All I can say is that being very untrusting of people, although putting on a polite face, is what kept me out of reach from from pretty scummy people. I was able to get away from a creepy older guy who was trying to be my friend (with obviously bad intentions), and keep away from people who wanted to hurt me.

Being untrusting (cautious) I think can be very helpful and important while healing. When I was reeling with grief, I was always in a vulnerable position that could leave me easy to take advantage of...

Also, when things would go horribly wrong is when I found a lot of strength to make things better for myself.