I'm right there with you both. Haven't talked to Mom in 10 years, haven't seen or heard from 5 sister or 2 brothers since 1989. The whole dysfunctional thing. I can relate to the Waltons wish. As a teen I loved that show and wished my family could be like them.

For 15 years I suffered terrible depression and loneliness, though I was married, had a kid, worked etc. A lot of it was the sadness of losing my entire family in pretty much one swoop in 1989. I felt a lot of guilt because of a "but they're your family" mentality. Like Dejibo says, it took a very loooong time to get over that loss.

I have never regretted cutting all ties to my family,In the end, after 30 years I'm free of their influence in any way. They are strangers to me, and I to them. I only found out about my dad's death by accident--I was doing genealogy on my family and the obit came up. My name had been omitted completely. My husband thought it was a nasty thing for them to do, pretend I was never born, but I wasn't really surprised.

I turn 50 in less than 2 months. I've been trying to deal with the big 50 since I turned 45 and realized I'd be 50 in only 5 years! I knew then that 5 years goes by faaaast. (If you'd like to talk about aging, PM me.)

I wish only good things on you and strength to keep going. You really only have two choices in life: give up, or keep going. But here's more hugs to give you strength.

peace

Wow guys...sadly, powerfully,surviving, victoring WOW.

Congrats to you for all your wisdom, strength and courage to move on to happier moments, friendships and living life against such hardships and adversities.

As for me, my favorite healing moment was when I decided to create my "own" family from those friends I chose to be in my life. I really enjoy my family of friends.

Im speechless and send each love, blessings and a deep desire for you to feel loved and cherished.