I don't think I've posted this before, but my apologies if I have. I've been adopted 2x - I know I 've posted that. But, I was reunited with my biological family at 25 at which time I found out that almost everyone had drug/alcohol/mental issues that they were dealing with - My mother was bi-polar/schitz. My brothers had all been in/out of jail b/c of drug issues. My mother has since passed and my sister who'd suffered from severe depression from the moment I met her killed my nephew and then committed suicide about 7 years ago. Somehow, despite the turmoil of my own life experience I escaped most of these issues myself, but it's very raw for me and I'm always on guard to watch for signs in my own life. I've always had to fight very hard, but I've been determined to keep a "life is what you make of it" attitude to keep myself in check. Thanks to the forum and
@humbleturker for keeping this in our peripheral vision.