[ClassyLady31]

I go through phases where I slip into deep depression but when I start thinking about all the pain and hurt my family has caused me my mind starts grinding gears and I become a very angry person. I don't over react and I'm not quick to make decisions. Actually I feel like I'm too quick to forgive them. But there's a difference in forgiving and letting go. I would always forgive my family for the mistakes they've made even though I've watched my family fall apart over the years and I see what the results have turned into. But I was never able to pull myself away from my family, I was never able to let go. But today, TODAY IS THE DAY I LET GO AND FORGIVE. It's easy to understand why one would want to forgive their family. I never had much growing up but what little I did have I was very grateful and appreciated. I was the kind-hearted, soft spoken type of person, I wouldn't ever say anything to hurt someone and I wouldn't ever act out in violence either. Instead I bottled it up inside. Just recently my brother committed suicide, and for a long time I felt the pain he felt. When my brother passed away in June something in me died. I became unforgivable, and unforgetable. Every bad memory, every heartache, every pain has ran through my body and I am putting an end to it all. I cannot allow my family to hurt me anymore, I cannot allow them to take advantage of the great person I am, I cannot allow them to break me down, I cannot allow them to have control over my life. I would rather not have any family at all then to be treated like crap for the rest of my life. All I've done was forgiven them, and spent every day trying to make things better for myself and for them but they won't allow me to. The sad thing is all they had to do is apologize for their mistakes, for I would do the same, and spend the rest of our lives making memories. But instead they want to keep taking and I have nothing more to offer them.....

[Rohag]

My condolences on your brother's passing, ClassyLady31.
In letting go, is there anything in your life - resources, people, help - that will make it easier for you?

[Mr Wispers]

Your standing up for your self. That's something most people can not do on their own. You are tough sister!