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Abused sister wants to tell her story to her husband's fiancée

Abused sister wants to tell her story to her husband's fiancée

Dear Abby: I was physically, emotionally and sexually abused by my oldest brother, who was six years older than me. As soon as I could put into words what was happening, I went to my parents and told them. They believed me, but swept it under the rug and didn't offer any therapy or treatment to either of us.

I had a nervous breakdown when I was 15. Afterward, I said, “I'll never forget what he did to me.” My mom finally decided to get me a therapist. Through years of therapy (I'm 25 now), I have experienced healing, grace, and forgiveness, but I think that's something I need to know for myself and nobody else's business.

Even though my parents know exactly what my brother did, they continue to try to mend our relationship, even though I have expressed that I never want to be in a relationship with him again.

Also: Some conversations may seem more like an interrogation

My brother is now engaged to a woman he has been with for four years. She has met everyone in my family except me. She has never contacted me, which I find odd. I know my brother hasn't told her the whole truth about what he did to me as a child because he still tries to downplay it.

If I were married to someone and knew all the family members except the only sister, I would be suspicious and would want to know why. Should I send his fiancée an anonymous letter telling her all the details?

— Victims in the South

Dear victims, If you send an anonymous letter to your brother's fiancée, she might perceive it as “someone,” possibly an old friend, trying to break them up. Between you and me, I think someone should warn her about her fiancé's past. If you're willing to risk that, your family will certainly be very upset. However, if you're determined to send that letter, you should have the courage to sign your name.

Dear Abby: My mother is remarrying at the age of 84, to an 83-year-old man who has never been married before. They got engaged after six months of dating. I think this is unwise, but I want her to be happy, so I will go to the wedding.

She asked her best friend to be her maid of honor and then she asked my brother to be best man because her fiancé didn't have anyone who wanted to do it. I expressed my frustration that she asked him to be best man and not me to be her maid of honor. Now she wants me to be the maid of honor but I really don't want to do that because I'm not pro-wedding.

Looking back, I should have kept my mouth shut about my frustration. Should I do it out of love and respect for Mom, or persist because I really think it's a bad idea? I don't want to be her maid of honor for so many reasons.

— Undecided in Indiana

Dear Undecided: You've been open about your reservations about the wedding, which is probably why your mom asked her best friend to do the wedding. She's now invited you to be her maid of honor because you told her you felt left out.

Whether or not you support your mother's decision to marry this man, the wedding will take place. Unless you plan to distance yourself from her more and more in the months and years to come, walk your mother down the aisle, wish her well, and keep your fingers crossed.

Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com

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