[ThrowAway1922A]

> it is not an excuse.

Things can be a reason without being an excuse.

Sure I'm not in jail and on the surface I have my act together, but my entire life has been fucked up by what are now called "ACEs" and it's a miracle I'm as stable as I am.

I'm not going to let people off the hook, but I am able to sympathize...especially knowing the wrong person or event at the wrong time would have quickly sent me down the same path.