I’m not sharing this to put down my parents, but rather to show that hope and love can break harmful generational cycles.
At my age (over 40), my parents were not doing well. My biological father had abandoned me as a baby. He was right at age 40 when I was born, and he left immediately.
No help. No curiosity about me. Nothing.
My mother, alone with two little girls and poor, found a new boyfriend and started drinking. I hate to say that “he” got her to start drinking, because everyone has a choice, but he certainly was a terrible influence.
At my age, my mother was drinking heavily and never leaving the apartment. Not even to walk me to elementary school. She cleaned compulsively.
My father was gone after abandoning me as a baby.
My stepfather? Well, he was 20 years my mother’s senior, divorced with children, and doing who-knows-what for money. (I still don’t know to this day).
A lot of women in my position, having survived trauma/abuse/neglect, think that they would make terrible mothers. After all, don’t they say such things cycle in families?
But like a new sunrise, hope and love (which come from Jesus) can change everything. And I mean everything.
Even though my parents were not doing well in their 40’s, through the Grace of God I find myself with a life that is wonderful, calm, and stable.
After leaving the house at age sixteen, I would’ve been a statistic if it wasn’t for the Bible.
But instead, I received the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
In my 40’s, I have a good home life. I’m not in direct contact with my old family (though I’ve forgiven everything), but God has given me a new family, good friends, and a great community.
My son means everything to me and my husband, and this little guy is curious, kind, and loves other kids!
We’re giving our child everything I never had: sobriety, stability, love, patience, kindness, faith, security. A wonderful foundation from which to grow.
The cycle has officially been broken.
Take care,
Dear Quiet
signal/log: 2.13.2026
uninstalled: pain/cycle
successfully_installed : a.wonderful.life
Dear Quiet 
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