"I read your columns with my jaw on the floor, Lenora. I cannot imagine having to deal with what you did as a child. That you're able to make it entertaining says so much about who you are. One amazing lady." - Facebook friend
"He's mentally ill and abusive. Thank God you escaped!...Besides being Narcissistic, he has control issues, and other issues going on, I think. I'm so sorry you had to have the parents you had but they gave you life, and now it is YOURS to live. You are a sweet, smart, beautiful woman - how did you turn out so good? God knows you have a tale to tell...! Love you, cute shoes!" - coworker
[Lenora] was a saint to put up with a parent like that." - Facebook comment
"Oh, Lenora, I'm so sorry your parents are abusers, I'm sorry that no one saved you when you were young. Your parents are criminals. You are so brave and resilient and strong. I admire you very much." - Friend
"I think everyone has very personal struggles of some sort. I don't know how you made it through yours!" - classmate
"Oh how sad...breaks my heart for you and your mom! Is she ok now? I'm so happy that you have someone who treats you well now, Lenora!" - classmate
"So very sorry, Lenora. I'm so grateful that you are such a strong woman now. You are a credit to yourself for the person you have become." - coworker
"Wow, no words will bring back the time you lost. It just blows my mind you've only been able to live your life for the last 4-5 years. It's funny how outward perceptions can be so far from the truth...Hoping your mom can find her voice one day soon and be able to live her life also." - classmate
"Lenora, not everyone is able to overcome such negativity, but you have. You need to remember that and keep moving forward. When we worked together I was always impressed with your abilities and your pleasant demeanor. So I say again that you are a credit to yourself!!! Also, I'm very happy for you that you and [your husband] found each other!! Hugs." - coworker
"I hope your parents read that. I wonder if they'll ever clue in as to how much harm they caused you." - Huffington Post comment
"Lenora, you deserve many rewards with how you have succeeded in turning years of abuse, criticism and character destroying upbringing around into a successful career of helping others by writing based on your painful past. Congratulations on achieving such great success." - blog comment
"Wow, what a powerful description of the misery and torment of a daughter who was raised by parents who seemed to be over demanding and abusive control freaks. It was so well written that it brought tears to my eyes." - blog comment
"This made my heart ache. Makes me want to jump in my car, and rescue you! help you relocate to an apartment and a new life...My heart goes out to you. I believe you CAN have a beautiful life ! Never give up on your freedom! even if you have to secretly get an apartment and secretly bring clothing one item at a time , do it !!!! You deserve happiness !!! God bless you." - blog comment
"Lenora I think maybe your parents could be projecting their own problems on to you and wish to retain their control by making it as hard as possible for you to make friends and meet a new boyfriend. If you were to leave home it may seem to them that they have lost their "punchbag" and someone who they can vent their verbal abuse on...nobody has the right to ruin anyone else's life. They do not own you although you are their daughter. You deserve happiness...I really hope and pray that someone can help end the terror and sadness of your...life. Think that the longer you let this continue, the more victories your parents have over you." - blog comment
..."Brings to mind Freud's saying that there's no such thing as a mistake - it's a subconscious choice made." - blog comment
"This is very well written, Lenora, and although it breaks my heart that it was your life then, the important thing is that it is NOT your life now! You can go forward with peace and love in your heart from now on! " - blog comment
"What a monster your father became – what power he exercised over the family. How sad that your mother was unable to stand up for you- or to even see the attacks for what they were. And I hope you are completely able to break the pattern and find relief, and that those memories lose their ability to cause anguish- or you find a technique to extinguish their power." - PC blog comment
"I feel like I am choking with every word I read, excited that I can see so clearly what my kids have been telling me for years about how they experienced my mothering. It is my reflex to be defensive, want to explain (justify?) that I truly believed (believe?) that I wanted to teach them how to be safe, happy, good people. I am horrified that my love & best intentions for them have actually caused pain for them instead. My need to control ‘for their own good’ has backfired." - PC blog comment
" Your writing is helping me feel like maybe I’m not crazy for thinking there was something terribly wrong with my family growing up. It’s helped me see that I’m not the only one, and that it’s not just all in my head. So thank you."-PC blog comment
"When the bullies sense they are losing their power they tend to get vicious.." - PC blog comment
"Lenora, this is a wonderful article, full of raw honesty that people need to hear. This damning, judgmental legalism– manmade rules on top of God-made rules– has driven millions away from a God who wants to love them as they are and grow them into His image. I am so sorry that you endured so many decades of this mistreatment, but I’m glad you see it for what it is and that you have set boundaries to stop the vicious cycle. The challenge after going through this crap is to learn to see God as He is– love. He is different than our earthly parents. He is not who they say He is, He is who He says He is. Yet so many survivors of this religious narcissism are traumatized into believing that God is out to get them too. Thank you for your courage and sense of humor– I posted something along the same lines a while ago." - PC blog comment
"My prayers are with you dear Lenora. I grew up in a very abusive nonchrisitan home. Your story reminds me of a nonchristian home. Why? Because in your case, religion was used against you. It was used to humiliate and degrade you.That is not God’s way..." - PC blog comment
"...Suffice to say that I have total sympathy for you..." - PC blog comment
"Bless your heart. You didn’t have to “think about demons”…you had to come home to one every day! There’s something in Ephesians 6:4 about fathers NOT provoking their children, “…lest they be discouraged.” Imho, people who get uber-religious are very likely overcompensating for something. Or, they came from such households themselves. (Or: they might need a shrink?)...however, another family member suddenly got “born again” around that time and started preaching at all of us and trying to guilt trip us with “you have to forgive and show love, WWJD, yada yada yada…”. For the record, I am a church goer (Roman Catholic) and I know about forgiveness. It’s very hard sometimes. I am working on forgiving these people who hurt me...But there has been NO repentance, no owning of the bad behavior at all, and no indication that the scenario will ever change. For that reason, and MAINLY for that reason, there can be no reconciliation as yet. God wants us to forgive evil, but not to tolerate it." - PC blog comment
"Good for you for setting permanent boundaries. It’s important to look after yourself. ... I am honestly happy that you were able to find the courage to tell him, and to cut ties with him. He doesn’t deserve you." - PC blog comment
"What you experienced was very real. It was not your imagination, or a faulty interpretation of events. Too many of us have had similar situations for there not to be some very real phenomena at play. Peace and healing to all!" - Facebook friend
"Wow. I grew up in a fundamentalist home...yet it was never THIS bad. No, this is not normal." :(: - PS blog comment
"You are amazing...I can imagine how hard it was, growing up. Even into adulthood." - Facebook comment
"Lenora Thompso...thinking now of you. No one should have parents like yours. You are lucky to have survived!" - Facebook comment