Dear Victims of the Wooden Spoon,
To not lose it emotionally I must speak in the third person:
My "friend" grew up in a time when there were not child-protective services. At least, so it seemed. He and his siblings saw their adult lives unravel due to the ongoing, cruel effects of domestic violence from their childhood. Some of the children lashed out with their own version of bad behavior; others retreated into a world of confusion and subserviant behavior. Professional help is still being sought. The results are encouraging. Is it any wonder that the Society of Peace and Brotherhood appealed to us? My friend truly does forgive those that wittingly or unwittingly hurt him and his dear siblings. But right now I see him crying. He asked me to sign off for now.
CoCo