Wow. Barb. Goosebumps and stillness. You wrote this with passion - and master storytelling skills.

Wow.

Reading the build-up to this - I agree with you, the intersection of all the anger and hurt in each of you, with your mom so incredibly out of touch with the circus she created...and oblivious how she kept bringing in new characters intertwining the madness - I mean, how she did not see the reality has always dumbfounded me!!!

BUT - describing how your mom reacted to Dorothy not returning: finally gave me an understanding of your mom: She identifies as a housekeeper of people who need shelter and she perhaps imagines herself "needed and loved" - by having all these people under her care.

To finally have seen how one who stayed as long as Dorothy be set free and CHOOSE to not return - must have sent her world crashing down. And again - oblivious to her daughters standing before her in pain.

Barb, you have overcome so much entirely on your own; the way your write your stories, the way you capture the spirit and mindset of a young frustrated traumatized girl who desperately needed guidance, direction, love, and acceptance...is a powerful lesson for all of us.

I don't think many of us as parents see how foundational and pivotal our roles are until I read stories like yours....I thank you for that. I hope you write a book - I hope your stories travel far.

But I'm glad you've found healing and joy in your art - and you're sharing your artistry with the world.

I was waiting for this story...this is NOT what I was envisioning - AT ALL. I hate to write I loved your story - because I felt the pain, the madness the hurt...oh - it was raw.

Well done Author Carter -- Well done!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽