I came to Mart with lots of baggage. My father was an alcoholic, a nasty alcoholic, who abused his wife and children verbally and physically.
Our mother suffered a mental breakdown in her early forties, was hospitalized a few times and suffered shock treatment during those times. She was often heavily medicated. She loved her kids unconditionally. That helped.
I did not suffer as much as my siblings because throughout much of my pre-school years my father was away at sea during WW II. I was the oldest, working, and was able to get away from most of his abuse when he retired from the navy at age 42. My siblings and mother could not.
No doubt, I grew up too soon and developed an attachment disorder. I became quite self sufficient and independent early on. Too early. Oh yeah, and depression was with me off and on. Nobody much knew that. Not even Martin, I do believe.
Also, occasionally, I suffered anxiety that could bring on some OCD behaviour likely driven by a desire to be a perfect me.
Isobelisnecessary 