My mom does this. She send me texts and emails of pictures with quotes of positivity plastered on top.

After the last time I saw her a few months back, she texted me that I seemed distant and asked if anything was wrong. Over the past few years, I’ve been coming to terms with just how emotionally abusive and manipulating she was when I was a child. She spent a decade with a man, not my father, who was an alcoholic and was the same way but worse, with some physical abuse sprinkled in because why not. Always taking his side in any conflict. Even when that ended, she found a new manipulative piece of shit to side with.

In response, I told her that I’ve become aware of just how much unresolved childhood trauma I have and that I’m having a hard time reconciling it. I guess I thought that this might open up a channel of communication, but nope. Her response basically amounted to “get therapy”. Not the worst advice, but I didn’t come to her for advice. She asked. I should have known better.

She mailed me a letter, but I haven’t been able to get myself to open it. I feel like whatever is inside is just going to upset me.