Dear Ellie:

You wrote: “I am told by many that I have to be there for my dad and to put aside my issues.”- interesting, he had so far no trouble putting you and your well being aside.

You wrote that you want to move forward from this hurt that has been festering for years. I encourage you to continue to have no contact with him whatsoever. When you do have contact with him, you do to yourself what he has done to you- put you aside.

it is your life, and in your own life, you definitely and unequivocally should be center in it- you choose what to do in it, not others.

anita