Heidu, I'm glad that you are okay with the way your mother sees you... or doesn't. The reason I said what I did is because I didn't think I had issues with my mother when she passed. It wasn't a week after she'd passed that the panic attacks and depression started. I was told later it was all those unresolved issues that touched it off. The anger I felt for quite some months after I found out had to be worked through. I don't feel that anger towards her any more. Maybe it's a deep regret, maybe it's the child that didn't get validation that is weeping inconsolably because of it. However, it's such a deep rooted belief? ... need? ... that I don't trust others when they point out my qualities. Heck! It's taken me years to accept some good things that I have proven to myself about myself!

But then... that's another story.

Thanks so much for sharing your personal strength. I'm sure there's something I can learn from it.

<font color=blue>This above all: To thine own self be true. --Shakespeare</font color=blue>