You have every right to preserve your emotional integrity...

Many who have made the brave, necessary decision to disengage from family are met with a shaming, shunning response from others. It is one of the most destructive and imprisoning guilt trips of all time, " But she's your mother," " but he's family," " They did their best," " Yoe owe them your life." Pay no mind to this. It's been my experience that if someone is considering disconnecting from members of their family of origin, there are usually very legimate reasons for doing so. Even if they did their best, that doesn't mean we have to stay in contact with them. Some wounds cut too deep. Some bridges have been permanently burnt. some people do not change. You are not a bad person if you choose to say good bye to abusive family members. You have every right to preserve your emotional integrity. - Jeff Brown, Grounded Spirituality