Thank you @mariannewest I know that the cycle tends to perpetrate throughout generations of silence if not just the continuation of abuse (and usually both). My extended family has a history of sweeping all the "unpleasantness" under the rug and normalizing so much of the awful behavior. I'm very proud of myself for getting out of it all and raising my kids without that dark cloud.

Thank you for your continual support and encouragement. This community is already my favorite 'home' <3