Excellent article, E. B.! From personal experience, I can tell you it took me several decades to walk away and I never looked back and am sorry I didn't do it sooner.

A narcissistic mother needs accomplices to make the family hierarchy work to her favor. She enlisted my siblings to ensure it would happen and play out the way she wanted it to. I didn't attend her funeral and didn't waste my time going to see her on her deathbed. Best decision I ever made.

My life became much more calm and peaceful when I removed myself from the role of the "appointed sacrificial lamb".