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Why do you feel you need to forgive someone who treated you horribly?

Might it be better to develop an attitude of "she was mentally ill and did the best she could, given her limitations"?

That would appear to me to be a more realistic way to proceed.

"Forgiveness" of the sort of abusive childhood you had is not necessarily a good thing. It robs you of the self understanding you need to develop emotionally healthy relationships.
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I have a "brother" who was horrible to me growing up, he stole from my parents while they were alive and stole after they died because he was the executor. Yes, I've contacted lawyers, they were no help. Anyway, it's easy to be bitter and angry, I've actually cussed him out in my dreams and I rarely cuss. One day I realized he has taken enough from me and I'm not letting him take any more. The last time I talked to him I reminded him about the money he stole and got a nasty text back. So, I've gone no contact with him.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, she took enough from you (mentally, emotionally) and she doesn't need to rob you from any more happiness. So, try to forgive for yourself. If you're a believer, try to forgive to be right with God AND yourself, otherwise, forgive her for your own peace of mind. It's hard, I know.
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I think you've gotten good answers here. I've read we need to forgive for OUR sake - not the sake of the offender. What she did is not your fault, so forgive yourself for anything you feel like you should not have allowed to happen. It sounds like you were good to her, so no guilt needed. The way others treat us is not our fault - it's their karma. Your life is all yours now. Release the anger like you're cutting a chain on your ankle that's tied to an anchor. Focus your thoughts and actions on what makes you happy and peaceful.
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This is what I have done to get over the hurt and guilt.

First, you need to get some space for yourself. Make up your mind that you are just not going to allow yourself to think about it at all. Put a rubber band around your wrist...when you catch yourself thinking about the whole thing...stop. Snap the rubber band. Force yourself to think about something else.

I am willing to bet that if you do this for the next month, when you come back to this whole situation you will discover that it no longer has a massive impact on you. But, even so, still do not let yourself run it over and over in your mind.

Over the coming months you will discover that whole days pass without thinking About it at all....then whole weeks.

Just give yourself a break and space to get away from it.
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I had a similar father, but he is still hanging in there because he is not finished dealing out guilt and fishing for gratitude.

I will not preach to you, but I will share something that my preacher shared. We should forgive, but we were given a brain so we do not have to forget and experience a bad experience a second time. This is how we gain wisdom. I also have a hard time forgiving.

What I would give you as advice is to try to forgive the bad experiences she put you through....not for her sake, but for YOUR SAKE. Sounds like you were there for her in the end, when it counts. The rest of your life is YOURS.....focus on you and your future. Please explore your world around you and find something that brings you joy. The past is over and tomorrow is yours for the taking. Blessings to you.
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