Thank you all for support today! 

First, I met with my Aunt and had an opportunity to make amends, which I did.  I'm sure there is more to the dynamics than what's on the surface, but my Aunt said she felt terribly offended.  What was the cause?  My isolation.  I guess while I was trying to survive, she took my absence personally.  I'm grateful for being able to apologize and say what is in my heart.

My Aunt called my sister to try and be helpful to coodinate my visit to my parents.  My sister is not mentally well and has harmed me and my daughter in the past.  My sister promised my Aunt that she would be there only until 12:30.  When I arrived, she was still there, so my daughter and I found a safe place to wait.  We waited another 45 minutes and she was still there.  I called my Aunt who said the facility contacted them- the staff they knew I wanted to spend a few minutes with my Dad and could not remove my sister.

After another 30 minutes, I went to check and yes, she and her husband were still there, so I turned towards the elevators, my daughter next to me.  I hear a man's voice- my sister's husband- shouting from all the way down the corridor as he came running towards me with fists clenched forward - the height of my head- "You come back you F!!!!!!! B!!!!, you get back here you G!! D!!!!! F!!!!!! B!!!! Right Now!"  His voice reverberated down the long hallway, bouncing off the walls and people in it's wake.  The staff tried to stop him, but are responsible for the geriatric residents.  The elevator was too slow.  It's been many years since I've been caught without an effective escape route.  He came at my face and somehow my daughter prevented him from hitting me as he wildly shouted, "your mom and dad are crying in there because you won't come in, you <<insert long steady stream of curse words>>.  You'll never see them again."

I don't know how I remained calm, maybe I was shaking too much to come across any other way.  I said in a very quiet and unemotional voice, "How dare you shout names at me and come at me like this.  Did you think this was how you're going to get your way?  All I wanted was 10 minutes with my Dad. There is a lawsuit and I can't come in with you and my sister there, did you think this is about you?"

The elevator door closed.  My last visual was him standing there, jaw dropped, and speechless.

My daughter and I left, still shaking.  It wasn't enough control and power that she took everything my parents owned and left me nothing, but she needed to control my visits with my parents too- when, how, who is present.... I'm sure she would have run after me instead of sending her devoted husband, but doesn't take care of herself and does not have the stamina.

Chaos much!?!  Insanity much!  I did let my Aunt know what happened, so she wouldn't wonder why I said I was going to see my Dad and then didn't see him.

I've kept my daughter safe from my sister over the years, and now she experienced a smattering of what it is like to be me. I didn't want her to see that. We had lunch and three hours later called the facility, who apologized profusely and said my sister and her husband had just left.  We returned, exhausted, for a visit.

My parents were exhausted from their lengthly visit from sis and her husband and they weren't extremely coherent.  Although everyone heard and saw what happened.

My Mom first wanted to talk to me.  I didn't really want that- having had a fill of abuse for one day, but kept an open mind and did.  It was her way of apologizing for her bad behavior.  She said how much she loves me and wants to be in touch and if we could put the past behind us.

Fake it til I make it.  I agreed and after I did, came my release where I could treat her lovingly.  I opened the pretzels and we all enjoyed.

It was so wonderful to spend time with them.  They're unable to walk or do anything unassisted.  I'm glad there can be a peace. My mom brought up the topic of the assisted living apartment that they left behind as they came to this skilled nursing facility.  I did not want to hurt her, but I needed to be honest and let her know that sis took everything.  Her mouth puckered like she just ate a sour lemon.  This is not what she wanted.  I told her that it is not important and we can both let it go and enjoy our time together.  Now I can call to talk to them, even though they may not have a mental presence.  I can go visit during the week when my sis isn't likely to be present.  And, I can now call my Aunt to say hello, reestablish a relationship with one of my cousins.  My uncle may or may not come around. One day at a time.

Sleep sounds like a good idea, but it's time to do homework due by tomorrow morning and an afternoon test. 

Thank you all for being here, for your support, your prayers, witnessing and sharing my journey.  I am so grateful!!!