(((dede))) You are so right about being able to heal when we can put some of the bitterness behind us.
Here's my contribution to the "good" stories.
In 1975 our house burned to the ground. We lost everything (eyegirl wasn't born yet.....so it was me (7 yrs old) my brother (3 yrs old) and our parents). There was kind brothers and sisters that donated clothing, food, money. I can esp. remember getting a home made cloth doll that I named Bethany, that became my best imaginary friend for a long time. I wish I had taken her when I left my parents house.
There was very kind sister in our cogregation, Nancy Olson. She was married but they were childless (they were an older couple). She had the qualities that would have made her a wonderful mother. I can remember when mom and I would fight, Nancy would go out of her way and put her arm around me and listen to me. She would let me cry, shout, talk....whatever. But she listened. She was always so gentle with me and she made me feel okay w/who I was. I miss her to this day. She was one of those women who really made a difference in my life.