My heartfelt thanks to those of you who have offered what I asked for--ears to listen. I think, before this is over, I'll be pm'ing more than a few of you who have offered that, especially some of you have been through similar situations and know just how hard it is to put this in motion, then stay the course.

    An update, because I won't be pm'ing everyone who has reached out and lent a helping hand to me on this thread.

    My son is home with me, and his Dad, sadly, is in jail for the night. I just finished writing out the petition for a restraining order that the domestic violence counsellor at the Sheriff's office gave me to bring home to complete. I have to be in court at 9:00 this morning to file it.

    I am exausted, scared, more relieved than words can say that my son is safe and at home, and very, very sad.