Dear Lilly:

“betrayed and heartbroken”- that was my experience too, as a child and on. A child naturally loves those who take care of her, usually it is primarily the mother. The child looks up to her mother, loving her intensely, completely. Unfortunately this is often an unrequited love, not fully returned. Often the mother has higher priorities than her loving little girl. And it hurts, it is heartbreaking.

But love is still there for you, available, just not easily found. There is just a little of it for you at home, but there is more of it elsewhere. If you see where love is not, you will be able to see where love is. For example, over time you may meet a young man who sees you as a high priority in his life. That will feel new to you and it will hurt because it will remind you how long you wanted that.

See to it that as you meet people, particularly potential boyfriends, that you are discerning, that you don’t take just anything as evidence of love. Get to know the young man first as a friend, see that he does see you, that he does hear you and that he cares.

anita