When I was growing up I thought everyone lived as I did. I stood by, at the age of 24, watching my on mother relish the attention she received when my father blew his brains out. He did what no one else could ever do-he shut her up!!! She died in 2012. I did attend her funeral as it was the right thing to do. My 2 adult sons went with me to be supportive and we were treated with disrespect because of my own mother's lies. She abused my children too.

Abuse is a terrible thing. Her recantations still blare in my head at times. No one ever knew the extent of her abuse and how nothing was ever her fault.

@cdcc I never shed a tear either. I can say I never hated her. I just never understood how someone could be so abusive and appear so blue-pure perfect to the outside world. I now know all families do not live as I grew up. I can say I am my father's daughter and he taught me many things. We neither one were bad children. I also feared my mother. I was a very passive child and no one would ever believe the dreadful things she said and did. Sounds like you and I had the same mother. Hugs.