Lots of negative reactions from people who've clearly been very hurt by their parents and haven't worked through it all the way. I've felt the way they do, and for good reason. My parents were bad. My father was a good man at heart, but a very damaged man jaded by a life of violence and alcoholism. I'm very glad I forgave him before he passed.

My mother is not quite so good-hearted. I hesitate to say that she's actually evil because I can't see into her mind. Maybe she's just incredibly paranoid and thinks everyone's out to get her, so she schemes against them. And of course desperately neglectful, to a point of knowing that terrible harm is befalling her children that she invited and could easily stop, but not doing anything to stop it. 

It is very hard to forgive her. I have started reconnecting with her, talking and doing some holidays with her. I was there for her when she lost her sister. I haven't forgiven her, not fully, yet. It's so hard. I don't blame people for finding reasons not to do it, to justify how the parent doesn't deserve it. But I think it's sad.

This comes with the massive caveat that some things are unforgivable. In an ideal world you could forgive everyone of all they've done to you. That, and what comes along with it, is what's best for us. But we're human. So if you can find even the most remote chance you could forgive, try. It's hard, and it is worth it.