I can count the number of times on my hands that I was *forced* to be around my father once I turned 18-years-old (family events). After 1997 when we buried my Mother, I never saw him again - he died 2 years ago. I grieved for the loss (finally) of knowing I would never know a good relationship with him, but I also knew that there was NOTHING in the world worth subjecting myself to even his presence after the death of my Mom. Even in death he reached out and beat the crap out of me - reaching me a full month after his passing through his *final wishes*. Yeah, that was REALLY hard for a while because it ripped everything open again. Still, I wouldn’t change the decision I made to cease all contact - the risk to me mentally and physically was too great to even attempt any type of repair to our relationship while he was alive. I do not regret that decision, and wanted to let you know that while some may not understand a decision like that - there are definitely those of us who do...