Babe, I hope it’s OK for me to share this and not out of line. Totally tell me if it is because I don’t want to overstep my boundaries, but… your Dad was horrible. He doesn’t deserve you.

I am glad you have forgiven him for YOU, but that doesn’t mean you have to forget what he’s done. Your first responsibility is to yourself. That means that if it’s the healthiest thing for you to keep your distance and not have a relationship with that man — then do it. He gave up his rights to a relationship when he essentially abandoned you.

If he didn’t want you, he should have let your mother keep you. It sounds like she did.

I hope you have a good relationship with her, and with your brother.

Honestly, my heart hurts for you.

I am a Christian, so I do believe we should forgive others, but that doesn’t mean they deserve the right to continue to hurt us. Wish him well, be kind when you interact with him, but if it’s best for you to let him go, then let him go.