Problems with dad being a bully, abusive, manipulative, sadistic, and trying to make me think I was just like him. ("People like us don't belong in modern society. We're the type of people they'd send in the middle of the night to fuck things up and get shit done.") We went on terrifying, rant-filled hikes at the crack of dawn. He took my family (without me, I didn't want to go) overseas, where he had an affair. I was in kindergarden. While they were away, I saw a classmate run over and killed. I was picked up by my grandmother, who was beaten by her husband that night, and she came into the guest room bawling and asking "what should I do?" We left because I (a six year old) said we should. My mom called from Russia, miserable and crying, and I tried to help her feel better. Family comes back and dad is a raging alcoholic for a few years. Flash forward, I'm 11, both of my dad's businesses are failing and he declares bankruptcy. We almost lost the house. My dad got violent. 8th or 9th grade, he got cancer, and got really violent. I went to school in a small town, came out as bisexual and was shamed and beat up by students and teachers. Had to switch schools, held myself back a year because I skipped so many classes and didn't learn anything. Got in with a bad crowd at the new school, got raped at a party, became estranged from all of my friends, dropped out of high school. A friend died of an overdose at the same time that I had a really, really bad breakup. attempted suicide. Dad shows up for parenting and helps me get back into school and I graduate. Moved out with a guy, and my house burned down and my grandma (who was my role model) dies after 5 years battling cancer. Dad really steps up to the plate, we run a full marathon as a family, I go to college and get manipulated and used by a total douche. Then I met my husband, and everything changed for the better. But God, I still have trouble sometimes just letting things be normal.