help

No fathers shouldn’t. When I was growing up my parents decided to become foster parents. Once we took in a boy named Paul. Paul wasn’t smart, was not particularly good at anything and was angry. But boy, did we have a good time together. Sure, we fought lots (one of the few people I’ve had fist fights with). We were competitive, and angry, but we laughed.

One of the most tragic things was him showing scars from where his dad beat him. In one breath he would be talking about this 4 inch puffed scar (his back, arms and legs were littered such scars), and in the other about how his dad is his hero. I never had the heart to tell him what I thought of his dad and what a peice of trash he was. Right now, Paul is probably either dead or acting like his father. Its a terrifying thought to me.

I tell you this not to say things could be worse, but to say, your parents are just people. Don’t idolize them, learn from them. Learn what not to be like. Clearly you already recognize this. I was lucky, I have a wonderful and kind dad. There are people out there like that. Run if its bad, all you need is a door and a highway. You can be anyone you want to be. You can change your name and become who you want. Your life is yours. And you will find kind people along the that will help.

Use your brain, trust your heart.

In the mean time, keep posting, keep reading, many others here are going through similar things.

We’ll listen.