Hi Dexter.
Why not tell her what you said here? Something similar to this:
You don't know how many times we have had this EXACT same conversation and I have said yes, I will support you. Then as little as a few weeks, maybe a few months later, my dad is emotionally abusing her again or there's somewhere else she wants to move because God is giving her signs that's where she should be.
Rewording this a bit would be just fine. I can't think of a better response. How would you feel about it?
I don't want to go the rest of my life... .and hers feeling like this. As I don't think she will ever change, my goal is to find a way to have some sort of relationship with her that doesn't make me want to pull my hair out.
It seems to me that you have taken the first step toward reaching the point where you have a chance at a workable relationship with her when you said this:
I told her I would support her getting honest therapy but she is not abused or a co-dependent. I said her behavior causes my sister and I great anguish and that in trying to begin to process my childhood I'm seeing she wasn't the victim we were. I finished by saying I love her and hope she finds peace but until I am stronger I cannot have the relationship with her she wants.
Very well done. You are speaking up and saying no. You are stating what is true for you and you told her you are going to take care of yourself first.
Please do not measure your compassion and ability to care based on your relationship with your mother. I used to think I did not know how to love because of the relationship I had with my mother. The thing is, she would behave in ways that made it impossible for me to act on the love I felt (or compassion or concern... .). I have a very strong feeling that that is true for those of us here posting about our family members, especially parents. We spend so much time twisting ourselves around and trying so hard to demonstrate that we do love them and care and support them and they change the rules on us or twist it around. It is an impossible task. It is also draining.
Your thoughtfulness, caring and compassion shines right through. The fact that she is not in a place where she can see it or accept it does not mean you are damaged.
You most definitely are *not* broken Dexter.