I guess I feel it is cold because my parents have done nothing to warrant my apathy towards them. My mother did make a comment to me recently when I was trying to figure out what to do with my dog during a business trip. She said “This is what happens when single working people have pets,” and that cut me to the core, particularly because she was well aware that my ex and I had just separated.

Since then I have been respectful but curt with her. She doesn’t understand why and I don’t desire to discuss it with her. In many ways I realize I’m behaving just as my ex did when I told him I thought he needed therapy. We were disturbingly similar – perhaps that is why things got so messy.

I genuinely don’t recall having a bad childhood. We went on vacations, did family things… I’ve just never been able to connect with my parents on an emotional level. Our relationship is quite superficial. Really… I don’t connect with anyone on an emotional level, except for my ex. That loss is profound for me.