Dear @wesphilbin, Thank you.
No need to go into the abusive stepfather story
I'm sorry you have such a story to tell, that you lived through such experiences.
When I was young I thought my life was uniquely challenged. On the outside, everyone else seemed to live comfortably, smoothly, without stress.
Time, and age, have taught me that behind our functioning selves most of us have stories. We just get up in the morning and do what we must. We put the stories away. However, the stories do have a purpose. They allow us, if we are willing, to develop empathy, to see ourselves, our stories in others. That's the best part of being human.
Thank you for your kind expressions. You good heart comes through strongly.