In my experience, tigersassy, those words of encouragement never helped me. Everyone was always quick to say how these things that happened were wrong, I wasn't to blame, I shouldn't feel guilty, etc. What I really needed to hear was justification.

While my emotions didn't make cognitive sense to adults, they were still there. I needed others to come out and say, "I'm sorry that you feel so guilty and sad. I think that you're still a decent person though." Simple lines like that ~ justifying my skewed emotions and throwing in just a bit of encouragement. THAT was much more acceptable to me.

I do occasionally get worked up into a bit of anger when thinking about my past, but it's mostly feelings of hurt and loneliness. I suppose that I'm still growing accustomed to no longer hiding my past. Maybe more anger awaits me in the future. I don't know.