Have you contacted these people to let them know how much they influenced you?

@LucyLoohoo Yes, I have talked with one of my high school teachers and one of the college professors.

@gsiamne What a thoughtful thing to do! You've probably "made" their entire year!

I'm so sorry! That was the age I was when my father died. ((((HUGS)))) It's a terrible thing for a child and I'm hoping you're ok now.

@LucyLoohoo hugs to you too for your loss. It was a long time ago but it formed me and even at this age when i think of her (rarely) i do so with the emotions of that 7 yr old child.

@SimonCyrene Thanks! I've never been to therapy or analysis, etc, but I know I've spent much of my ''romantic'' life "looking'' for a father image. They tell me it's very common. Did she know she was going to die? How horrible for a young mother of a young boy.....sorrysorrysorry!

@LucyLoohoo i was left with a sense of abandonment and an overinflated sense of injustice. But i can smile about it now. There were 5 of us though (the rest girls)and the youngest was two. My father wasn't a success as a parent. Only one of them has any contact with him now.

@SimonCyrene If you can smile now (genuinely) and feel successful after essentially raising yourself...you're doing well! We can only guess at your father's true thoughts these days...and we don't care!

Honestly, you've made me consider something for the first time--that "overinflated sense of injustice." Is it possible that IT is responsible for our activism and anger at injustice, wherever we see it? I KNEW it was ''wrong'' that my father had died and my mother beat the hell out of me...is that what's behind all this activism? Interesting thought, Simon. Interesting thought......

@tallgreentech
Once I grew up things changed dramatically.

@tallgreentech GOOD! I wish I could give an all-expense paid GAP YEAR to every US high school graduate!

@tallgreentech RIGHT! And...it's why so many European young people take that ''gap'' year...to open up their hearts and heads! Of course, it's easier for them because Europe's so small. BUT...there are so many wonderful places to visit--people to meet--cultures to enjoy, etc.

@tallgreentech It is held at arms reach, but not gone. 10 years was just the extreme phase, The source of the violence is still around, though aging. And as hard a nut as I became in the eyes of all others, he still sees me as his victim.

(((BIG HUGS)))

I understand this perfectly! You survived...WE survived...and THEY didn't win! ((HUGS))

@tallgreentech I've been dreaming about having a gallery for over two years. I signed a contract on one the other day not knowing if I was going to live. Since I'm one of the many victims of cancer. Looks like things are going my way for a minute.

@tallgreentech awesome. Post lots of pictures. I can't wait to see it

@tallgreentech As Serious as Somebody else Murdered within an hour later.

I'll bet you've been awake a few nights, thinking of that one!

@LucyLoohoo No, the 4 guys are dead and I sleep and awakes sooner or later every day.

@GipsyOfNewSpain Guess you're exemplifying that old cliche...."Revenge is best served by living well."

@tallgreentech Fallback? Our genetic information is a factor in who each person is. It is not the totality of any individual. Each factor plays a part in the total. And the strength of those factors is different for everyone.