Of course you matter here. I wouldn't like it if you didn't post your thoughts. All of our thoughts matter.

Sometimes. I'll post just so that things are somewhere other than inside me. Thoughts become a burden to keep to myself. Sharing, here, is the only self-compassion I allow myself, maybe.
I believe, from reading here, that many of us think this way. Sometimes, I don't have words of comfort. I hope that it's understood that a virtual hug means that the scream has been heard.

We can't choose our families and I'm sorry that yours have caused you to think you're less than you are. They are wrong. And they are unkind. They will realize this in the end. I believe that.

I do understand what you say about emotions needing a reference point. Good observation indeed...