[tic]

Sorry to hear about your troubles, hope everything works out ok in the end.
I think some of us are pretty fortunate in that we have pretty easy lives with no major upsets. I can't say I know how you feel, coz I don't, just guessing.

About 5 years back my brother and I had a major fight. He had a bit of a drink problem which resulted him in becoming very abusive and agressive to the rest of the family. It all came to a head when one New Years' Eve, he and I went for each other - I did't drink that much back then, even less now. Anyway it resulted in me grabbing a kitchen knife and holding it up to my brother's throat. The words I used then are still pretty clear after 5 years, " If I should twitch, you'll be dead, let's hope I don't twitch".

My mother and father where there at the time and had to calm me down. They later told me that they had to forceably remove the knife from my fingers, as my hands where tight shut, with white knuckles showing.

My brother has not touched a drop of alcohol in over 4 years now, and surprisingly or not we actually have sorted out all our differences - I'm even his kids godfather, but it's something that I'm very aware of. To get angry at a stranger is one thing, but to want to kill one of your "own" is not worth thinking about.

You and your mum are the most important one's here, and you'll need every inch of each others' strength to come out of this. Your mum will need you now more than ever as the "man" of the house.


Everyone's here for you.

all the best