I'm so glad you stood up to your father all that time ago. I'm sorry your mother has had to go through this all these years; but more importantly, I am sorry for you and your siblings. You deserved to have a healthy display of marriage, and I'm sorry you had to learn about the true essence of love and marriage through the unhealthy dynamic between your mother and father. This was beautifully written and I'm glad you no longer carry all the weight of responsibility on your shoulders to handle your parents. I will say, you came out of this so emotionally mature... having never had that example set before you. Well done.