Thanks so much for reading this, Maureen, and for sharing a bit of your story. I can't even begin to imagine what your parents endured - or how it impacted your own life. I'm so sorry for all the suffering you and they endured.

Thank you, too, for your thoughts about what made my mother this way. I wrote a piece here about her within the last week or so, which offers another perspective about her. But yeah, she had her own demons and I was glad I finally saw them for what they were.

I appreciate you, Maureen. Thank you for spending some time with me today. Sending you a big hug! 💜