awww, ((((((Improving)))))), I just love your honesty.

I think that pain is so so relative, you know? And, your feelings are SO real and SO valid, regardless of where they stem from and what happened to create them. They are there and they are yours and you feel them....that matters! It matters so much!

I get the picture thing, and the shame in showing it. As other's have shared, I felt so vulnerable at the thought of showing T my childhood photo. I remember how terrible I felt during the time the photos were taken, and I really thought that he would see that "terribleness" in me when he looked. I didn't want him to know that part of me. It's a really raw, brave thing to do....to expose your most hidden, protected memories of your self and your heart. I bet your T will absolutely still love you, though....

My childhood home is also filled with photo albums, which demonstrate the "happy little family" that my parent's wished to portray to the world. I am quite sure that your T will be able to see through that. Even if you had many great, truly happy times, it doesn't mean that you don't have a right to feel what you feel.

We all have such different reasons for being here, for being in therapy. We are so unique with different backgrounds, traumas, happy and sad times.....but pain is pain, heartache is heartache.....we share that, regardless of why or how. It is valid in each of us.