Dear  Madeline:

“she knows the kind of person I am. I cry and I talk and I let my emotions out whenever I can, it helps me”, you wrote.

If she “comes from a family that doesn’t talk openly about feelings and looks down on weaknesses”, it may overwhelm her to witness someone who is so  open as you,  crying and such. It will work better for you- if you get the  opportunity- to express to  her your feelings in a controlled, self contained way, honestly but controlled. That way she is more likely to not get overwhelmed and to take in what you express to her.

anita