hi jitters, it doesn't sound like a crazy request to me at all I can relate to that need for nice words ... it is so difficult when there are critical words and condescension coming from every direction. Right now, I may not know you ... but I think you are doing a great job in reaching out and expressing what you are going through; and hope that you will find people both here and also offline that will give you some of those encouraging words which you both need, and should have - you should be affirmed and encouraged. You are significant, adequate and loveable; all of which can be hard to believe if you aren't used to being told these or experiencing the reality of them in practice, but their absence doesn't make it any less true