I actually have a family member who did something horrible & was estranged from the family. I didn’t even know this person existed until I was 10ish. My mother’s sister was murdered by her husband when she was 19.(my mom was 11) My mother’s sisters children became her younger siblings. I knew 2 of them & never new about the third. That child had been excommunicated around the time I was born. It was to painful for my mother, grandmother or any of my aunts & uncles to talk about. I feel awful but there was a bit of a reconnection because of me at that time. The reunion was very brief this person did something unspeakabile to someone. The family cut off contact again to protect the person hurt. We also had to give up contact with the person who was hurt to keep them truly safe. It breaks my heart & I know it hurts all of my family. I don’t think I’ve ever told my own children because know about a family member being a true monster is awful. I don’t want my children to lose hope in people. I think that was when I did.
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