I just want to vent really as I am not sure what to next and don't want anyone in RL to know.It's a long story but my dad I stopped speaking 5 years ago after a fall out - there's two sides to every story and all that but he had been insulting to my husband and I on several occassions -disinterested in me in general. There is a whole background to it which I can't go into here but my parents divorced when I was very young and as a result things were hard at times. Anyway, I often think of him and in many ways feel sad for him- he had a pretty desperate childhood and has not had the best life. Well I have just sent him an email - I dont even know why - I had tears rolling down my face as I typed it and it felt the right thing to do.I worded in such a way that it was ' here is a pic of the DCs, I often think of you and wish you well' rather than let's meet and make amends (not sure I could).DH won't be happy when I tell him and neither will my mum as she despises him.But he's my dad. He was a great dad when I was young (or so I thought) but became less so when I got older. Our relationship has been strained since my late teens and just got to the point where I wanted out. He is married to a particularly unpleasant woman whom I want nothing to do with. If we were to have any type of relationship it would have to be carefully negotiated. My DH wouldnt care if he dropped dead tomorrow and I think pretty much the same thing of my stepmother. Oh heck what can of worms have I opened?