Ooh this brought back some serious feelings from the past....it has to be one of the hardest things to come to terms with, when someone else decides what to do with your life at that point...and there is almost nothing you can do to change it. Very tough to come to terms with that.

However as you say, these are the things that mould us, shape us and can allow us to grow in a positive direction should we approach it the right way.
The fantastic thing about most family, is that often times its even BESIDES ourselves, they still accept and love us. For it is OUR failures (even in things such as your story) that hurt us and bring us down.

Thank you for your story( I think I'm grateful for it, because now I have some feelings resurfaced LOL), and may the rest of your journey continue to bring you and your family needed happiness.