I am so sorry about what happened with your mother, but I can entirely understand why you keep your distance, based you what you've revealed in these articles. I admire your lack of bitterness, but also your wise reasoning that forgiveness and trust are not the same thing, and that removing oneself from abusive and unpleasant situations is the smart thing to do. I still admire the way you paint her as a person with human frailty and failings, rather than as a monster, despite her undoubtedly monstrous deeds. As a person, you are a walking testimony to the truth that kindness, mercy, humility, and self-awareness does not mean a person is weak or foolish.

I take my hat off to you (metaphorically, I'm not really a hat person). :)