Margie (((hugs)))
I just wanted to start with that and to thank you for sharing all of this.
There's so much strength in you.
I wish people would recognise that not all parents are worthy of our continuing devotion. People tell me "but she's your MUM", trying to get me to go cap in hand and penitent to reconnect with mine "before it's too late". I don't understand why I'm always the one who needs to apologise and make nice, in everyone's version of this narrative. I spent the first thirty years of my life feeling like I had to apologise for every breath I took. I've spent the last twenty learning that I don't need to do that.