The psychology (or could it be reason) of women that stay with husbands/boyfriends that abuse or act contrary to the most basic principles of family coherence and development has always puzzled me. That after that length of time your mother had the courage and foresight to know being without him would likely be better than having him leave later or cause massive disruptions or distractive influences is heartening.
As an only child, we left my father when I was in 8th grade, after my mother had an accident and he refused to support her through a series of operations and pain treatments. When I was in 10th grade we got back together again in a new house, which I loved, but it was essentially a material false hope. When I was in college he left us both letters when he went off and married another woman. We found out he had been cheating for most all of my childhood. Since then has dumped his second wife and now left a new girlfriend. But being in his 60’s he is running out of time, and as he inches closer to senility or disability he wonders why I find the idea of being his friend distasteful. Sad stories, snippets or not, are necessary to be aired.

That's a sad story, Michael. All these dad stories are making me think about posting my own. Hmm...

Sorry to wreck everyone's misery parade but my Dad's really cool..When you realize that your parents are just normal people and shouldn't be held to a higher standard of "being parents" it makes things a heck of a lot easier.

DTDT, that's great that your father is really cool. I know so many people who are father-less. It is pretty widespread. And it is really sad.

Thanks for that insightful comment! It makes interesting reading, especially when I need a payday advance.