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I was born on July 4th about 35 miles south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I have fond memories of growing up there. I lived in a small closely knit community of Polish and Czechloslovakian immigrants. I mostly remember the seasonal celebrations of Easter and Christmas being a special time. Some of the traditions I still adhere to even this day and I have incorporated them into my current family and faith.
I have to admit that I did come from a somewhat dysfunctional family but not as bad as some. My parents had no love for each other and slept in separate bedrooms. Not once did I ever see any affection between them. I know that they were miserable and as an adult looking back on it now I can see that they would have been a lot better if they were divorced. My mother had some mental problems due to an abusive upbringing and a rape that occurred when she was in her teens. Once again, as I look back I realize that the way she felt must have been terrible for her and I wish I could have known enough to get her help.
All of this ended tragically one night about 3AM. I was then 17 years old; I had come home earlier that evening and told my mother about a new boy I was interested in. We talked about him and my plans for the future (I was going to start college that month) and she fell asleep on my bed about 11PM. I didn't want to disturb her so I fell asleep next to her. At 3AM I awakened to a loud thud. I woke up startled and my mother was lying on the floor moaning. She was unable to recognize me or speak. I screamed for my father and he ran to call 911. My mother died in my arms moaning in pain from an aneurysm a few moments later. She was only 47 years old. That moment profoundly changed my life.
My father then became distant, moved out of the house and remarried a little under two years later. My father and his new wife wanted nothing to do with me so I was left to fend for myself. I was 19 years old, going to college and holding down a part time job.
My father later died at work when I was 22 years old. He died of a heart attack and I discovered that he wrote me out of his will. Obviously I have a lot of fond memories of both of my parents - they doted on me during my childhood, but this has soured me concerning my father.
I immediately got involved in a relationship with a man a year younger than myself. The first couple of years were okay even though I knew he had a hot temper. One day that temper turned into violence directed at me. I was kicked, hit in the head until I lost hearing in one ear for a few days, bitten and abused in other ways. Things would be okay for a while and then he would just explode. It was very scary because I never knew when this would happen. We moved away from Pennsylvania to Southeastern, Virginia. By this time I was feeling very depressed, was unable to work (how would I disguise the bruises and split lips - I worked as a temp when I was able) and otherwise a mess. He decided to move to near the Washington, DC area. Like a zombie I followed.
This went on for several years until one day I decided I wasn't going to take it any more! In a period of about 3 months I moved out and decided to get on with my life. I was stalked by him for a while, but he met another woman and moved in with her. I liked this women and I told her what my life with him was like. She ignored my warnings and I have no idea where they are now.
This is what my life was like in the past. I moved on and I am really pleased with what my life is like now and how it has been in the last five years. If I haven't bored you totally and you're interested, read on!