In Reply to: Re: Tis the Season posted by Oldtimer on October 12, 2005 at 21:56:34:
Thanks for your comments. I really have largely worked through all that even though pasts like we came from don't just go away without leaving scars of remembrance behind. But the power of those experiences are walked through for me and don't carry the weight they once did.
I can imagine that you had to feel some survivors guilt as older brothers and sisters with a conscience would feel when having to leave younger siblings behind in places that aren't safe. Not that it would be any fault of yours, but still a sibling can feel really bad to leave someone behind when their own youthful survival is more than enough to handle.
Besides, at that time you must have felt really powerless to change anything. I felt guilty that I left my dogs behind. They had been family pets but I found out later that after my father died, my mother took them to the Humane Society and they were likely put to sleep.
I loved my animals like you probably loved your siblings but knew I couldn't take them with me and survive. That takes its toll too and sometimes as much as it does on the ones left behind. We are all survivors here. Some of us survived our families and then "THE Family". I suspect that is the case for MANY of us.
Regarding the name, I just figured I'd go back Goth88 after recent confusion that came up more than one time. Thanks for your support. I think that is what many of us need and want and I hope I am that to you too. ;)