seeker, I was so moved reading what you wrote. You describe my relationship with my mother. I understand you so well -- keeping yourself locked away for fear of being hurt by uncaring people.

But you know life is not just there to be gotten through. Life is there to be experienced and enjoyed. I hope that you will find the courage to come out and enjoy some of it. There are kind people in the world. It takes time to find them but they are there.