I’ve been through this sort of situation before. (Well, my parents were the ones who divorced, but they were both abusive to me in just about every way possible, the husband and I think, and I’ve spent the last six years trying to get out of that–one of the most important steps towards that took place just today, in fact, when I “landed” and officially became a Canadian permanent resident.) It’s not easy. Furthest thing from easy, for that matter. But it is the best thing you can do, in my opinion. Can’t take care of anyone else without taking care of yourself first.

I’ve also been homeless before. For “only” a month, but that was more than long enough. It was the final winter break before I graduated from university (Emerson College in Boston). I was so scared/terrified of my mother that I couldn’t bear to go back to her. So I took a bus to Hartford, CT (my roommate lived in Windsor, though I didn’t get to see her much that month because her parents hated me) and spent the month in a homeless shelter (and most of the days at the library, for that matter). I was fully prepared to sit at various bus stops every night, all night, and just wander around during the days, if I had to. Fortunately it didn’t come to that (a very kind bus driver and a firefighter both helped find me a room at one of the shelters, Mercy House), but I know it very easily could have. As it is, I got frostbite several times that month (though I didn’t know it at the time), and now whatever internal thermostat I had is totally screwed up. But I’d do the exact same thing over again if I had to.

Anyhow, sorry for all that babble. I’m just trying, in my own ineffective way, to say that I support you in whatever choice you make, and that I’ll help in any way I can. And that I believe in you. If you need to talk, or rant, or whatever, feel free to e-mail me at any time (finvic @ gmail.com). I check said e-mail many, many, many times a day.

*hugs*