"we're not going to ever have the full truth. There are too many blanks in the story, too many heartbreaking silences from spirits defeated by shame, despair, mental illness, and suicide. Or plain old age."

Yes - I have inherited stories from dead relatives of what went on. But what can be said now? Most people would never speak. I certainly understand that - it takes a *lot* to speak, let alone under the oppression of such a powerfully all-pervasive & long-standing institution.

Bonnie, please don't abandon this thread. Your contributions are potent, lucid, informative and extremely valuable.